Driving While Intoxicated - D.W.I.

  Fine Jail Sentence
 License Action
1st Offense
 $500 - $1000
 Up to 1 year
 Minimum 6 month revocation of license
2nd Offense
 $1000 - $5000
 1 - 4 years
 Minimum 1 year revocation of license
.08% B.A.C. = Blood Alcohol Content

Effective in 1996 any persons under the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with a BAC between .02% and .07% will have his/her license suspended for six months and pay $125 civil penalty. An additional $125 fee is charged when the license is returned following suspension.

It's Not What You Drink, it's How Much!


Each of these drinks contains the same amount of alcohol and raises BAC by .02%:
  • 1 - 4 ounce glass of Wine
  • 1 - shot of 80 Proof Liquor
  • 1 - 12 ounce Beer

Effects

No one is "Ok to Drive" after drinking. No one can consume alcohol without it affecting judgement, reaction time, vision and other driving skills, although some may be better at covering up these effects.

Studies

Studies also indicate that alcohol's effect may be greater on women than men. Studies indicate that people who drink are less likely than other motorists to use their seat belts. Because intoxicated motorists are more likely to be involved in crashes, a deadly trap is at work. Always wear your seat belt when you drive. Nationally, 2/3 of the motorists who are killed in crashes aren't wearing their seat belts. That isn't a coincidence.

When your car hits something, someone else's opinion won't keep you in your seat. A seat belt will!

How Much is Too Much?


Any amount of drinking will begin to affect your judgement and coordination and reduce your ability
to judge distance, speed, and angles.

The degree of impairment depends on four basic factors:
  • The amount you drink.
  • Whether you've eaten before or while drinking. (Food slows absorption.)
  • Your body weight
  • The length of time spent drinking

No Quick Fix

There is no quick fix, no known way to reduce your B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Concentration) after dining except to wait for your body to metabolize the alcohol, and that takes hours. Your body metabolizes about one drink each hour. Coffee will not sober you up. A cold shower will not sober you up. Nothing will enable you to react properly to driving demands except the passage of whatever time is required to rid your body of alcohol. Make your plans for a safe ride home before you're in a position to need one. Once you're intoxicated or impaired, your thinking won't be clear and you may make a fatal decision to drive.