Noah’s Law is an important law in Maryland to combat drunk driving and save lives. The legislation requires those convicted of alcohol-related driving offenses to install an ignition interlock device on their cars. It also increased impaired driving penalties.
Over the past five years in Maryland, almost 800 people have been killed, which is nearly a third of all roadway fatalities, by impaired drivers. In addition, about 15,000 people have been injured, according to the Motor Vehicle Association.
The statute is named after a Montgomery County police officer who was killed by a drunk driver in December 2015. The legislative measure is officially known as the "Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016."
Key Provisions of Noah’s Law
Noah’s Law changed Maryland’s approach to addressing impaired driving. A person convicted of alcohol-related offenses is required to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle. This means they must pass a breathalyzer test before the car will start.
The law also introduced stricter penalties for impaired drivers.
Expansion of the Ignition Interlock Program
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a breathalyzer installed in a vehicle to prevent it from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds a preset limit. Before Noah's Law, the use of IIDs in Maryland was quite limited.
The legislation expanded the program to require installation of an ignition interlock device for:
- Drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) with a BAC of 0.15% or higher.
- Drivers who refuse a breath or blood test when pulled over for suspected impaired driving.
- Drivers involved in DUI or DWI offenses with a minor passenger in the vehicle.
If you have an IID installed in your car, you can't operate the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Enhanced Penalties for Drunk Driving
Noah’s Law also increased penalties for driving while impaired and driving while under the influence, particularly for repeat offenders. Convicted drivers face higher fines and longer license suspensions.
How the Ignition Interlock System Program Works
Drivers who have an IID installed in their car must blow into the device to prove they haven’t had too much to drink. The device keeps the vehicle from starting if your blood alcohol measures above a certain amount.
Participation in the Ignition Interlock Program involves several steps:
Installation: Offenders must have an IID installed in their vehicle by a state-approved provider. The device is connected to the vehicle’s ignition system and requires the driver to blow into it before starting the car.
Monitoring: The IID records BAC levels during each use, and the data is transmitted to the program administrators for review, ensuring compliance. Attempts to tamper with the device or circumvent its use are reported and can result in additional penalties.
Compliance: Participants must comply with program requirements. These include regular maintenance visits and consistent use of the device to ensure highway safety.
Noncompliance can lead to extended program participation or further legal consequences for those convicted of certain alcohol-related driving offenses.
Ignition interlock devices are installed for six months in the vehicle of anyone who blows the legal limit of .08 in a breath test, or else the person’s license will be suspended for six months. A driver who refuses a breath test has to use the device for nine months or accept a nine-month suspension.
Probation Before Judgement Loophole Closed
While Noah’s Law has been widely praised for its intent to improve highway safety, it's not without its challenges. Critics argue that the cost of installing and maintaining an ignition interlock device—which is typically paid by the offender—can be a financial hardship, particularly for low-income individuals, making it challenging for them to participate in the ignition interlock program. Some also question whether the law’s penalties are sufficiently severe to stop habitual offenders.
Maryland offers assistance programs to help offset the costs of IID installation for those who qualify.
Another criticism involved a loophole in Noah's Law. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said there was a gap in the law that allowed a DUI first offender who was sentenced to probation before judgment to avoid having an ignition device installed in their car. Recently, the PBJ exception was eliminated. Last year, critics were successful in getting the legislature to close the loophole for alcohol-related driving offenses. Starting October 2024, Maryland requires interlock devices in all DUI offenders’ cars.
The Tragic Inspiration Behind Noah’s Law
Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta was killed while on duty by a drunk driver at a sobriety checkpoint. He was conducting traffic stops as part of a holiday drunk driving enforcement campaign.
In response to this tragedy, Noah’s family and road safety advocates pushed for changes to Maryland’s laws drunk driving offenders. Their efforts culminated in the passage of Noah’s Law, which went into effect in October 2016.
The Impact of Noah’s Law
Noah’s Law added several thousand drunk drivers to Maryland’s Ignition Interlock System Program. The passage of Noah’s Law strengthened Maryland’s robust Ignition Interlock Program, making it one of the strongest programs in the nation. Maryland’s program has the 6th highest number of ignition interlocks installed and the 9th highest usage rate nationwide. Of the approximately 11,000 referrals for participation in the program, there are nearly 7,000 drivers currently enrolled.
Noah’s Law has had a measurable impact on drunk driving incidents in Maryland. By mandating ignition interlock devices for a broader range of offenders, the law has significantly reduced the number of repeat offenses. According to data from the Maryland Department of Transportation, the program has prevented thousands of attempts to drive under the influence each year.
Additionally, the law has raised public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of using tools like IIDs to promote safer roads. Advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies continue to highlight the success of Noah’s Law as a model for other states considering similar measures.
Need Legal Help with a Maryland DUI/DWI?
The attorneys at Maronick Law LLC have experience with Annapolis, Baltimore, Bel Air, Essex, Ocean City, Towson, and White Marsh drug and alcohol-related driving offenses. A Maryland DUI/DWI attorney can review your case for defenses and an opportunity to get the charges reduced or dismissed.
Maronick Law LLC can meet with you remotely if you have access to Zoom. You can contact the law office at 410.244.5068 or our website for a free consultation.