After suspending the breathalyzer program nearly two years ago, D.C. will bring it back this Friday. What a way to kick off the weekend. The program was stopped due to calibration issues that resulted in inaccurate readings. Roughly 400 DUI convictions had to be revisited, and many cases were dismissed. The breathalyzer re-launch was fueled by a $150,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This will go hand-in-hand with the new DUI law that D.C. introduced in July. Now, a first-time offense could land you behind bars and cost you $1,000, which is more severe and expensive than the previous 90 days and $300. First time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration of .20 or higher will have to serve a mandatory 10 days in jail.
[via DCist]
