A bill signed into law by Governor Murphy in August that expands the use of ignition interlock devices on drunk drivers goes into effect this Sunday. An ignition interlock device, or IID, is a device that detects alcohol on breath samples taken from the driver. If the device detects alcohol, it will not allow the ignition to start.

The new law requires even first-offense drunk drivers with a blood alcohol limit of 0.08 to 0.10 to get an IID device installed in their cars for three months. A first time offender with a blood alcohol limit between 0.10 to 0.15 will have to have an IID installed for at least 12 months. Additionally, first-time offenders with a blood alcohol limit above 0.15 will have their licenses suspended for four to six months, and then be required to install an IID device for 9 to 15 months. The bill also increases the penalty for failing to install an IID device from a one-year license suspension to eighteen months.

While the law requires installing an IID device after just one offense, it also eliminates license suspensions after a first offense. This is meant to allow drivers who need to be on the road for work to be able to drive their car, with the IID ensuring that they are not drunk.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said the new law is the most significant update to drunk driving laws in over a decade. The new law will help reduce the number of dangerous and unlicensed drivers on New Jersey roads, which experience an average of 137 drunk driving-caused deaths each year.