Illinois DUI Traffic Stop – Why Was I Stopped?

Reader’s Question:

When I was arrested for DUI here in Evanston, Illinois, I really didn’t understand why the officer asked me to pull over. I don’t remember that I committed any traffic violation. What are the possible reasons why an officer could ask a driver to pull over because of a DUI suspicion?

Bonnie

Evanston, IL

On your DUI arrest in Evanston,, the police officer should have had a ‘reasonable suspicion’ to pull you over. It may constitute a ‘reasonable suspicion’ if the police officer observed that your vehicle was swerving over lanes. Similarly, if you were driving with a broken headlight, broken taillight, driving too fast or even with your high-beams on (in traffic), that could also be sufficient ‘reasonable suspicion’ to pull you over. But if after an investigation of your DUI case that it is discovered that your broken taillight was nothing more than a crack in the red plastic, or if you were driving with your high-beams on and a significant distance from other vehicles, the DUI stop would be considered illegal and an appropriate motion to suppress and could result in an order excluding all evidence after the illegal stop.

The evidence that can be excluded would be the police officer’s observations, breath test results, field sobriety tests and anything else that the state attorney might rely on to obtain a conviction. It has also been found that minor swerving within lanes could be an insufficient reason for an officer to stop your vehicle. Similarly, since newer vehicles are equipped with three or more tail lights, a DUI stop for a malfunctioning tail light is improper if two of the three tail lights on your vehicle were operating properly

Illinois DUI – How Much Does Ignition Interlock Cost?

Reader’s Question:

My daughter is in trial right now because of a DUI charge here in Illinois. Aside from the grueling fact that she might be paying a hefty fine, I was told that she would have to install an ignition interlock device in her car if she will be convicted. What is this machine and how much does it cost?

Steve

Naperville, IL

An ignition interlock device measures blood alcohol content (BAC) level of the driver by blowing into it and if alcohol is detected, it prohibits the car from starting. It would also test drivers periodically while the car is running.

The ignition interlock law in Illinois for DUI convicts is being called the most stringent in the country. It was mandated in September 2007 for people with one drunk driving conviction in the state. So even first-time DUI offenders are required to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. The Secretary of State’s office will monitor all breath test results from the ignition interlock devices.

Under the new Illinois ignition interlock law, the ignition interlock device would be rented and cost $150 to install. The monthly fee would be $100, just another reason to not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This monthly cost would cover monitoring by the Secretary of State’s office and the ignition interlock manufacturer.