Maryland MVA Test – Noah’s Law
What is Noah’s Law?
The new Maryland law requires a driver to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle if the driver is convicted of drunk driving or fails a breath test. It took effect in 2016 and is named after Noah Leotta.
Noah Leotta
Noah Leotta was a 23-year-old police officer who was struck and killed by a driver during a traffic stop. Leotta had pulled over a driver as part of a holiday DUI enforcement effort and was out of his car. Another driver approached in an SUV but had waited too long to move over. The driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.22, three times the legal limit. He later pleaded guilty and accepted full responsibility for Noah Leotta’s death. The restaurant that served alcohol to the drunk driver shut down.
The New Law
Previously, the laws required ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or more. The new law lowered the level from 0.15 to 0.08.
The new law also increased the time for driver’s license suspensions for chemical test failure and refusals, known as admin per se suspensions (suspensions by MVA). A test refusal previously required a 120-day suspension. Under Noah’s law, the suspension will last 270 days (two years for a second offense).
A first offense of drunk driving with a BAC of 0.08-0.14 resulted in a suspension of 45 days before the law. Today, the suspension period is 180 days.
A driver is required to participate in the ignition interlock program for the following convictions:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
- Driving While Impaired (DWI) while transporting a minor under the age of 16.
- Homicide or life-threatening injury by motor vehicle while DUI or DWI.
The length of time a driver is required to use an ignition interlock device
- Six months for the first violation.
- One year for the second violation.
- Three years for the third or a subsequent violation.
Under Maryland’s new law, drivers who either have refused a chemical test or have a test result of 0.08 can elect to participate in the ignition interlock program instead of requesting an administrative hearing to dispute the charge.
Read more:
