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A new California DUI bill by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, a Democrat from Los Angeles officially requires first time offenders in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare counties to install ignition interlock devices in their car which require the driver to test his or her alcohol levels to start the car. The bill was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday.

Gov. Schwarzenegger also signed a bill by Sen. Bob Huff, a Republican from Diamond Bar, that lets repeat drunken drivers apply for restricted licenses if they install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles.

California State Legislature has approved Assembly Bill 91. The bill creates a project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare requiring the installation of ignition interlock devices (IID) on any vehicle owned or operated by an individual convicted of a DUI offense. First time or otherwise.

“This legislation has the potential to save hundreds of lives in California. We have the technology that can help prevent drivers from getting behind the wheel after drinking, and we should be using it for first time offenders,” said Feuer. “I´m optimistic that the Governor will agree.”

Currently, California courts have the discretion, but are not mandated, to require the installation of an IID for first-time and repeat DUI offenders. Under AB 91´s pilot program, an ignition interlock device installed on the offender´s vehicle replaces the restricted license. With an IID installed, an offender is allowed to drive anywhere, but cannot start his or her vehicle if the IID registers any alcohol on the driver´s breath.

California taxpayers will not bear the costs associated with the IID; rather, the offenders will be required to pay. The pilot project would begin on July 1, 2010 and would extend to January 1, 2016. By July 1, 2015, the Department of Motor Vehicles would have to report to the Legislature on the pilot project´s effectiveness in reducing the number of first time and repeat DUI offenses.

Driver in Oakland arrested for DUI; two dead, two children injured

The Alameda County coroner’s bureau has identified two victims of a fatal crash on Interstate Highway 880 in Oakland early this morning.

Sara Marie Terra, 23, of Richmond, and David James Terra, 20, of Modesto, were killed in the solo-vehicle crash around 1:30 a.m. on northbound Highway 880 just south of Hegenberger Road, according to authorities.

The crash also left two children with major California injuries. They were taken to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, California Highway Patrol Officer Ralph Caggiano said.

A person has been taken into custody for driving under the influence, and other charges will likely be sought, CHP Officer Aaron Quistad said.

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Law enforcement will be on the lookout for drunken drivers during the coming Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day weekends.

Avoid the 21, Alameda county’s multijurisdictional crackdown on impaired drivers, joins 40 other similar campaigns in the state in the effort to crack down on drunken drivers during the holiday weekends.

Ninety-eight people were arrested during a St. Patrick’s Day weekend crackdown.

Police are asking drivers to make mobile 911 calls when they see dangerous drivers on the road.

The campaign intends to have saturation patrols in six cities, as well as one DUI checkpoint during the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

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Officers from the 21 police agencies in Alameda County are reminding drivers they will be out in full force this weekend, cracking down on those who drive drunk.

The agencies have made 413 DUI arrests through the “Avoid the 21″ campaign, which started Dec. 12.

The number of arrests is 10 percent lower than last year at the same time in the campaign, and there have been no drunken-driving fatalities. Last year, the county also reported no deaths as a result of drunken drivers.

More checkpoints are set for Alameda, Oakland and Pleasanton this weekend. The Oakland CHP and police who patrol Oakland, Livermore and UC Berkeley will run DUI saturation patrols, said Livermore police Lt. Mike Peretti, “Avoid the 21″ coordinator.

Peretti advises Raiders fans attending Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans to designate a sober driver. A 60-officer team from 15 police agencies will be out in force after the game.

“We’ll be out starting at 3 p.m. to arrest any football fan who fails to drive sober,” Peretti said. “We don’t want to export drunk drivers all over the Bay Area.”

“Avoid the 21″ made 1,114 DUI arrests during last year’s winter holiday crackdown, by far the largest number in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

The three-week enforcement blitz ends New Year’s Day.

The holiday period is upon us, and with it come the litany of reminders to not drink and drive.

The 21 police agencies in Alameda County are ramping up their anti-DUI efforts in the coming weeks to keep the roads safe during the holiday season.

The California Highway Patrol, as well as police departments in Fremont, Newark and Union City, are participating in the Avoid the 21 campaign, an effort named for the participating agencies in the county.

Officers on Friday began roving the streets and highways looking for drunken drivers, organizers said. They will continue to do so through the new year.

In addition, sobriety check points have been established in two cities.

Fremont police will man a checkpoint from 7 p.m. to midnight Tuesday on Thornton Avenue at Cabrillo Drive.

Officers will be looking for impaired drivers, as well as checking for valid driver’s licenses.

A similar operation will be held in Newark on Dec. 26. The location of that stop has not been established.

No checkpoints have been scheduled in Union City.

The anti-DUI efforts are funded by a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Since 1998, the first year of the program, authorities have removed more than 6,000 intoxicated drivers from the state’s roads.

Already been accused of drunk driving? If so, you will NEED a DUI attorney to assist you with the matter. Visit the DUI Lawyer directory to find a DUI Lawyer near you.

Source: Inside Bay Area