To Blow or not To Blow?
Countless times a week I explain to people what ignition interlock is and how it is helpful. There always seems to be a wide array of questions that are asked, but one that I can always count on is "If someone gets pulled over and they have been drinking; should they blow, or refuse the test?” In Kansas if you refuse the test you will receive a mandatory license suspension for one year on your first offense, two years on the second, three years on the third, ten years on your fourth and a permanent license revocation on the fifth occurrence. If you take the test and fail and are charged with a first time DUI, you will receive a 30 day license suspension, followed by a 330 day restriction. These restrictions are to and from work, to and from school, to and from a religious ceremony, and for emergencies. However if an offender chooses to have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicle they would not be bound by those restrictions. On a second, third and fourth offense, the offender would have a one year license suspension followed by a one year license restriction. The restriction being only driving a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. And on a fifth conviction, the Department of Motor Vehicles would permanently revoke the driving privileges of the offender. So in my personal opinion I would recommend always taking the test. By taking the test you will always end up back behind the wheel much faster than if you refuse the test. Although you will have to provide a breath sample to start your vehicle, your buddy, wife, mom, neighbor, or boss will thank you for not refusing the test and making them drive you around for another year.