Two Texas DWI bills are currently before the Senate Committee. House Bill 4061 would effectively expand the criteria for mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device in a vehicle. This device analyzes a driver’s breath sample and disables the vehicle ignition if the blood alcohol content (BAC) registers above a pre-set limit. Currently, Texas DWI law requires an ignition interlock for repeat DWI offenders and those who register a very high BAC at the time of arrest.

If this law passes, we would see a local impact of nearly double the number of motorists required to install an ignition interlock system if they are convicted of a DWI in Austin, Texas. All motorists convicted of a DWI in Texas, including first-time offenders, would be directed to do so, however, judges would be left with the discretion to find the interlock installation unnecessary.

The second DWI measure being considered would permit larger cities, such as Austin, Texas and highly populated counties, like Travis and Williamson County, to establish sobriety checkpoints. Overriding concerns abound with this measure such as racial profiling, inefficiency, and a perceived police state where motorists are stopped without reasonable cause.

If you have been arrested for a DWI in Austin, Texas or Travis and Williamson Counties, time is of the essence. Call Kyle Lowe, a seasoned Austin DWI Attorney with 16 years of DWI and Criminal Law experience.

Tags: austin dwi attorney, BAC, blood alcohol content, DWI in Austin, DWI law, DWI offenders, ignition interlock, sobriety checkpoints, Texas DWI

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am and is filed under Austin DWI Laws. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.