Vehicles: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(1) Existing law prohibits a person who is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combined influence of alcohol or drugs from driving a vehicle (DUI) . A violation of this prohibition, generally, is punishable as a misdemeanor. Existing law authorizes a court to offer misdemeanor diversion to criminal defendants which, contingent on successful completion of specified terms and conditions imposed by the court, results in the dismissal of charges prior to adjudication. Existing law specifically prohibits diversion programs for a person charged with DUI. This bill would, notwithstanding this prohibition, authorize misdemeanor diversion for persons charged with DUI, as specified. The bill would limit diversion to persons who have no prior DUI convictions, and who have not completed DUI diversion within the past 10 years. The bill would require, as a condition of diversion, for the defendant to install an ignition interlock device, as specified, and to participate in education and counseling programs, as specified. (2) Existing law, until January 1, 2026, requires a person, upon a conviction for DUI with a prior conviction for DUI, as specified, to install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID) for a specified period of time. Existing law also authorizes a court, upon the first criminal conviction of a person for DUI, to order the person to install and maintain an IID for a specified period of time, or, if the court does not order the installation of such a device, authorizes the person to apply for a restricted license. This bill would place specified recordkeeping requirements upon manufacturers of IIDs. This bill would also extend the required term of IID installation by 60 days if, within the final 60 days of installation, a driver attempts to start the vehicle when a specified level of alcohol is detected.