Maine Maine’s all -offender ignition interlock law went into effect on December 1, 2013. From 2006 to 2020 in Maine, interlocks stopped 17,503 attempts to drive drunk with a breath alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, including 1,692 attempts to drive drunk in 2020.
Grade: F (47/100) The all-offender ignition interlock law in Maine fails to utilize best practices that make an effective law.
Why does MADD call the law all-offender? A first-time offender must use an interlock in order to drive during a license suspension period.
Process to obtain an ignition interlock 1. Satisfy suspension period and jail time requirements. 2. Get proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 certificate).
3. Fulfill the substance abuse evaluation and counseling requirement. 4. Schedule an appointment to have an interlock device installed. 5. Visit the BMV to reapply for a driver’s license and pay all of fees and fines, including a reinstatement fee. 6. Complete any pending court regulations. Ignition Interlock Law Overview and MADD Legislative Recommendations How soon can an ignition interlock be installed? Duration on ignition interlock Legislative Recommendation First offense 30 days after revocation 5 months
Eliminate any waiting period for a person before he or she installs an interlock. Allow for the use of interlocks for refusals.
2 years
Second offense
9 months after revocation
Interlocks not available for refusals
First refusal
Can a drunk driver wait out an interlock order?
Yes
Legislative Recommendation
Any person who has a license suspended for a drunk driving offense, must use an ignition interlock for at least six months before obtaining a non-interlock driver's license.
Compliance based removal?
No
Add a compliance based removal component to the law (a user must prove a certain period of sober driving before exiting the interlock program).
Legislative Recommendation
Day-for-Day credit for early installation?
No
Legislative Recommendation
Allow for the use of ignition interlock after arrest and credit early installation of an interlock toward time ordered on an interlock upon conviction.
Interlocks required for plea agreements or diversion?
No
Allow a first-time apprehended drunk driver who did not cause an injury or property damage crash, and successfully completes six continuous months on an ignition interlock and completes other court or department conditions to be granted a plea deal.
Legislative Recommendation
Affordability program? Yes A person certified by the Secretary of State to install an interlock shall provide for a reduction of costs, inclusive of the total fees and charges assessed to the individual having the interlock installed, of at least 50% if the individual demonstrates, using the individual's most recent federal income tax return, that the individual has an adjusted gross household income of not more than 150% of the poverty guidelines for the relevant tax year as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for that individual's family size. Sources: 29-A §2412-A, sub-§7, 29-A §2411, 29-A §2508, Maine Secretary of State.
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