Norfolk DUI Accident Injury Attorney Report – Ignition Interlocks Come Into Force for First Time DUI Drivers

It’s a radical change in the way drunk drivers are dealt with in Virginia. And it comes into force on July 1, 2012.

As Norfolk drunken driving accident injury attorneys we are pleased to see a new law come into force that requires first time DUI offenders to have equipment put into their cars that can sense if someone has been drinking and stops them from driving.

Ignition interlocks, are a “growing trend across the nation as more states adopt policies mandating them for drunken-driving offenses,” the Virginian-Pilot reported.

Under the previous law judges had some discretion over the imposition of ignition devices. That ends under the new law.

Ignition interlocks have been used in Virginia as a deterrent going back to 1995, when they were first authorized by the General Assembly.

Drunken driving remains a major challenge in Virginia, although it is declining.

Statistics reported in the Virginian-Pilot state alcohol related crashes fell from 11,265 in 2001 to 8,411 in 2011 in the Commonwealth and the number of injuries fell from 8,211 to 5,465.

DUI convictions also declined – from 31,469 in 2008 to 28,162 in 2011.

Sadly I still report on many drunk driving accidents that result in serious injuries and deaths.

In Virginia Beach a DUI driver hit and seriously injured members of a family after she drove past a school bus with its flashing lights on in January, 2012.

If you have been injured by a drunk driver or a loved one has been killed, you may have to deal with serious issues for the rest of your life and incur considerable cost and heartache. You should contact an experienced Norfolk DUI accident injury lawyer.

The Norfolk and Virginia Beach based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as wrongful death, railroad injury cases and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us at (757) 455 -0077 or contact us through this website.