New Jersey’s new drunk-driving law goes into effect Sunday.

The law, passed earlier this year, mandated ignition interlock devices for all drunk-driving offenders, including those convicted for the first time. The devices prevent a car from being turned on if a driver blows an intoxicated breath sample.

The new law also loosens penalties and license suspensions that critics had said made it difficult for offenders to get to work.

Read More: NJ’s new drunk-driving law starts December 2019 | https://nj1015.com/njs-new-drunk-driving-law-starts-december-2019/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

AP

The law requires that first-time offenders and those who refused to submit to a breath test install ignition interlock devices, which they will have to pay for.

Previously, the devices were only required for repeat offenders or those who had a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.15%. Under the new law, offenders need have just a 0.08% BAC, the legal minimum. Those with higher BACs, however, will have to use the device for longer periods of time.

For first-time offenders with BAC of up to 0.10%, the ignition interlock will have to be used for six months following a license suspension of 30 days (previously three months).

For offenders with a BAC of up to 0.15%, the device must be used for six months to a year following a license suspension of 45 days (previously seven months to a year).

For offenders with a BAC higher than 0.15%, the device must be used for one year to 18 months after the license suspension of 90 days.

Read More: NJ’s new drunk-driving law starts December 2019 | https://nj1015.com/njs-new-drunk-driving-law-starts-december-2019/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Credit: NJ 101.5