I have heard from a source close to the matter that the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is about to approve another ignition interlock device for persons convicted of DUI in Alabama. Since September 2012, Alabama’s DUI law began requiring ignition interlock installation for all multiple DUI offenders and even on some first time offenders. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences was given responsibility for drafting regulations for ignition interlock installers and for maintaining a list of approved ignition interlock devices.
The current list is maintained on the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences website. Currently there are only three devices that have been approved. Two of those devices are manufactured by Smart Start. The other is made by Draeger. DFS is poised to approve a fourth device sold by Sens-O-Lock of America, LLC.
Despite the fact that the law has been a long time coming (the ignition interlock requirement was signed into law in the summer of 2011), there are very few interlock service provider locations presently in Alabama. As of early January 2013, Smart Start has only has seven service locations to serve all 67 counties in Alabama and none north of St. Clair County. Draeger has been slow moving as well. It remains to be seen how quickly Sens-O-Lock will move into the market.
More information regarding Alabama DUI Law can be found at our law firm’s website www.alabamaduiattorney.com, or by telephone at (256) 536-6000.