Now is the time. Call your stock broker or get on E-Trade and place your orders. ignition interlock manufacturers are about to get a lot of business after an especially drunk driver-ridden weekend.
By the time dawn hit on Wednesday morning, Los Angeles County law enforcement departments had made nearly 500 arrests for driving under the influence, reports the Culver City Patch. Tack on the likely high amount of drivers arrested on Independence Day itself, plus the expected continued revelry throughout the weekend, and you have a lot of ignition interlock devices headed for cars.
But, aren't those only for hardcore offenders and alcoholics? Not anymore. Courtesy of your state lawmakers, Los Angeles County is part of a state pilot program in four counties that will test the efficacy of ignition interlock devices in reducing recidivism rates. So, after a first-time offense in Los Angeles, drunk drivers will have to install a fancy and expensive little machine into their dashboard.
Meanwhile, our neighbors to the south in Orange County only have to get ignition interlock devices if they are a repeat offender or if the judge is in a really bad mood. Someone caught literally inches from the border, such as a former Los Alamitos mayor, can be spared the device and its inherent shame and expensive cost.
It's not all doom and gloom, however. There is hope for those offenders that barely hit the legal limit. The oft-used plea bargain of Wet Reckless, or alcohol-related reckless driving, doesn't require such a device. The "baby DUI" plea bargain is often offered to those without aggravating circumstances, such as a first-time offender with a barely illegal blood-alcohol level that was not breaking any traffic safety laws.
Also, though we were kidding about the stock tip, if you do wish to purchase stock in these companies, the list of state-approved manufacturers and models is available here. It might also come in handy for those of you that need to do a little bargain shopping.
Related Resources:
- Discuss Your Case with a Los Angeles DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
- Long Independence Day Weekend Means Hundreds of DUI Arrests (NBC Los Angeles)
- Five Things to Know about Ignition Interlocks in LA County (FindLaw's Los Angeles DUI Blog)
- Ignition Interlock Devices (FindLaw)
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