Nashville, TN- Advocacy group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving made a stop by the State Capitol building this week to urge lawmakers to toughen up the Tennessee’s drunk driving laws by making ignition interlocks mandatory for all DUI offenders.
MADD has been on a campaign to make ignition interlock devices mandatory for first-time DUI offenders across the country, and Tennessee is their latest stop.
In a press conference Tuesday, April 12, a spokesperson for MADD said ignition interlocks have already stop drunk drivers from getting on the road, WTVF reported. So, MADD is asking lawmakers to draft a bill that would close a loophole in state’s DUI laws and allow judges to require all DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicle. Currently, it is left to the discretion of a judge whether a DUI offender is required to install ignition interlock devices.
The advocacy agency says the public agrees with stricter ignition interlock programs. On their website, MADD states
that three different surveys found that 76 to 88 percent of the public supports ignition interlocks for all DUI offenders. Eighty-four percent support ignition interlock devices for first-time convictions.
“There is no downside to passing a proven safety measure that will spare others from this devastation of losing a
loved one or horrible injuries to a 100 percent preventable crime,”MADD’s former National President Mille Webb said, according to WKRN.
If you are facing a DUI in Tennessee, USAttorneys urges you to contact a DUI lawyer near you so that you can talk about your defense. You want to take whatever steps you can to avoid a DUI conviction because the penalties are tough. For your first DUI in Tennessee, you can be sentenced anywhere between 48 hours and 11 days in jail. You will also be forced to pay fines between $350 to $1,500 and will have your license suspended for up to one year. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Those penalties are pretty harsh which is why you need to speak with a DUI lawyer in Tennessee to help explain the plea bargain process and decide if it is the best way to resolve your DUI. USAttorneys can connect you with an attorney today so you can get the explanations and answers you need.
As soon as you are charged with a DUI, let USAttorneys connect you with DUI lawyer in Nashville to help you develop a defense strategy. There are options you and your legal counsel can explore to resolve your case the way that best suits your lifestyle.
Our team of DUI lawyers will protect your interests and go the extra mile to ensure your DUI has the least impact on your life as possible. You can find a practiced defense attorney to work on your case by visiting USAttorneys. Speak with a lawyer today and see how they can minimize your DUI.
