Drunk Driving Laws, Facts, Statistics, and Resources For Prevention
What Does It Mean To Be Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence is the act of operating any motorized machinery after/during consuming alcohol or other drugs. Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) is the standard used to determine driving while intoxicated, drunk driving, operating under the influence, drinking and driving, drink-driving, and impaired driving and is most conveniently measured as a simple percent of alcohol in the blood by weight. It does not depend on any units of measurement. All American states have also enacted per se laws that prohibit operating a motor vehicle while having a specific blood alcohol content (BAC) level.
Drunk Driving Laws in Types of Driving Under The Influence
Driving under intense influence (DUII)
Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
Operating while intoxicated (OWI)
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI)
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Operating a vehicle (while) impaired (“OVI”)
Driving While Ability Impaired(“DWAI”)
List of Drunk Driving Laws By State
Drunk Driving Laws in Drunk Driving Laws in Alabama
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: No
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Alaska
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver
Drunk Driving Laws in Arizona
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Arkansas
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 6 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in California
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 4 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Colorado
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 3 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.17
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Connecticut
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in Delaware
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 3 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in District of Columbia
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 2-90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Florida
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 6 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Georgia
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 1 year
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Hawaii
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 3 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Idaho
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Illinois
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 3 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Indiana
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 180 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Iowa
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 180 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 90 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Kansas
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 30 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Open Container Laws: driver
Drunk Driving Laws in Kentucky
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Louisiana
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Maine
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Maryland
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 45 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Massachusetts
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Michigan
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Minnesota
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 15 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Mississippi
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level:
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in Missouri
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 30 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in Montana
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Nebraska
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Nevada
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 45 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in New Hampshire
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 6 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in New Jersey
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in New Mexico
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in New York
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: Until prosecution complete
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in North Carolina
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 30 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 10 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in North Dakota
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 91 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Ohio
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 15 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.17
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Oklahoma
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 180 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver
Drunk Driving Laws in Oregon
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Pennsylvania
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Rhode Island
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver
Drunk Driving Laws in South Carolina
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.18
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in South Dakota
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: No
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.17
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Tennessee
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: No
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Not applicable
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: Depends on County
Drunk Driving Laws in Texas
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Utah
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 120 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.16
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Vermont
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: No
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Virginia
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 7 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: No
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.2
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in Washington
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level: 0.15
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in West Virginia
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 6 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: after 30 days 1
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Open Container Laws: No
Drunk Driving Laws in Wisconsin
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 6 months
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: Yes
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Laws in Wyoming
Legal Blood Alcohol Content Level: 0.08
1st Offense Suspension: 90 days
Driving Privileges Restored During Suspension: Yes with special hardship
Do they have an interlock device: Yes
Loss of Vehicle for Multiple Offenses: No
Open Container Laws: driver/passenger
Drunk Driving Facts and Stats
In 2006 there were 17,941 driving fatalities related to alcohol. This was 41 percent of the total 43,000 fatalities.
Half of all holiday driving fatalities are alcohol-related.
The average BAC among fatally injured drinking drivers is .16
Most people with DUIs are not alcoholics.
About 80 percent of alcohol-related fatalities are caused by beer consumption.
The relative risk of death for drivers in single-vehicle crashes with a high BAC is 385 times that of a zero-BAC driver and for male drivers the risk is 707 times that of a sober driver, according to estimates by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
About 30 percent of Americans are involved in an alcohol-related crash sometime during their lifetime
High BAC drivers tend to be male, aged 25-35, and have a history of DWI convictions and polydrug abuse.
18-20 year olds are responsible for more than 10 percent of the drunken driving trips in America.
Australians call drunk driving “drink driving”.
Resources about Drunk Driving
MADD The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
About.com information about Drunk Driving
Potsdam.edu information about Drunk Driving
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