Drunk Driving Statistics and Resources

While more serious than a traffic infraction, a misdemeanor might not have a substantial impact on the defendant’s employment or education opportunities. Motorcyclists are already vulnerable road users due to the lack of protection their vehicles offer. When alcohol enters the equation, the risks become exponentially greater.

If You Feel Different, You Drive Different – Drive High, Get a DUI

This fact sheet highlights strategies that states can use to address drug-impaired driving and identifies actions that can be taken. BAC is measured with a breathalyzer, a device that measures the amount of alcohol in a driver’s breath, or by a blood test. The penalties that accompany a DUI conviction vary from state to state. Any crime committed consequences of driving drunk include: either qualifies as an infraction, a misdemeanor or a felony, with infractions being the least serious crimes and felonies being the most serious. In all 50 states, driving under the influence is considered a misdemeanor or a felony offense. Greater penalties can also apply for multiple alcohol or drug violations within 25 years.

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In 2022, 32% of all traffic fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. A BAC of .08 or higher is considered drunk driving in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05. In the face of DUI charges, the guidance and expertise of a drunk driving accident lawyer, or even a Las Vegas car accident lawyer if the incident involved a collision, can be invaluable. They possess a deep understanding of DUI laws, courtroom procedures, and effective defense strategies. A skilled attorney will examine the evidence against you, identifying any weaknesses or inconsistencies that can be leveraged in your favor.

• Some states will completely revoke the licenses of younger drivers, requiring them to complete the graduated license process from the beginning.
• Note that these DUI penalties can be applied either instead of or in addition to jail time and/or fines.
• Thus, in many states, after an individual has two (or three) DUI convictions on their record, any subsequent arrests for DUIs are felony convictions.
• If you witness impaired driving, safely pull over to the side of the road or a parking lot and call 911.
• It is likely you will feel ashamed of your actions and will be treated differently by everybody in your life who hears about the DUI charge.
• Drivers with a BAC of .08 are approximately 4 times more likely to crash than drivers with a BAC of zero.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

But even if you just end up with a DUI conviction, you’ll have serious consequences to face that may last for several months or years — or the rest of your life. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious crime, and DUI//DWI penalties reflect that. Although specific DUI laws vary by state, the consequences for drunk driving can be classified into the categories below. An impaired driving conviction will generally be charged as a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor offenses tend to carry moderate fines ($1,000 or so) and minimal, if any, jail time (almost always less than one year).

At the arraignment, the individual will be formally charged with a criminal offense and will be allowed to plead guilty or not guilty. The standard legal advice is to plead not guilty at the arraignment, pay the bond, get released, and then seek the assistance of an attorney for further steps in the process. NHTSA provides statistics about impaired driving, materials for campaigns against impaired driving, and case studies of effective practices to prevent impaired driving. NHTSA’s Countermeasures That Work report assists state highway safety offices in selecting science-based traffic safety countermeasures for major highway safety problem areas, including impaired driving. Inpatient rehabilitation programs provide intensive therapy and support for people struggling with alcohol addiction or substance abuse. During the Labor Day holiday period, we typically see an increase in impaired-driving deaths — and that’s why you’ll likely see more law enforcement on the roads.

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• The suspension period typically ranges from 30 days to one year, depending on the state.
• Besides severely affecting your physical and mental health, alcohol can also lead to social and legal problems.
• If you are convicted of a DWI or DUI offense, your insurance rates will likely increase dramatically.

The suspension period typically ranges from 30 days to one year, depending on the state. Some states will completely revoke the licenses of younger drivers, requiring them to complete the graduated license process from the beginning. In some states, suspended drivers can obtain a restricted license by installing an ignition interlock device. In many states, an impaired driving conviction requires the offender to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation, the results of which can be used by the judge to decide whether treatment is appropriate.

If you are under 21, it is illegal for you to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system. In some states, a DUI offender’s car may be confiscated or its registration temporarily or permanently canceled. Moreover, a court may mandate the installation of an ignition interlock device on the offender’s car. Such a device is designed to prevent an intoxicated driver from operating the vehicle and measures BAC through a breath test.

Drivers with a BAC of .08 are approximately 4 times more likely to crash than drivers with a BAC of zero. At a BAC of .15, drivers are at least 12 times more likely to crash than drivers with a BAC of zero. Most employers, schools and landlords conduct background checks on applicants, which would bring your DUI conviction to their attention. You may be fired from your current job or have trouble securing a new job, when employers find out about the offense.

Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — puts you and others in harm’s way. A DUI can set you back, on average, $10,000, and there could be a crash — people could get hurt or killed. An estimated 20 percent of adults in the U.S. drink alcohol to help them fall asleep. However, alcohol use has a direct, adverse effect on a person’s sleep quality. Alcohol addiction can lead to several long-term sleep problems, including insomnia. Besides severely affecting your physical and mental health, alcohol can also lead to social and legal problems.