DUI
Laws
In the United States there are two main avenues through which the
authorities punish drivers who are found with a high percentage
of alcohol in their blood (dui or drunk driving).
First of all, all the states define drunk driving as a crime by
law - and criminal procedures may be opened against drunk drivers.
In all 50 states the allowed level of alcohol in the blood is up
to (and not including) 0.08 percent. Convictions for driving under
the influence of alcohol usually lead to the suspension or revocation
of the drivers driving license.
But, in most cases drunk drivers will be punished before criminal
procedures take place or instead of these procedures. This procedure,
which is called, administrative license suspension, enables the
state to suspend the license immediately after arresting the drunk
driver.
41 states have administrative license suspension laws. In many states
refusing to take a dui test will also lead to license suspension
before conviction.
Apart from this, the law may differ from state to state. For example,
in about two thirds of the states people with more then one drunk
driving offence might have to forfeit their car. Most states require
some of the multiple offenders to only drive cars which have a device
that checks their breath and locks the ignition if the alcohol level
is to high. Most states also prohibit possessing an open alcohol
container in the car. To check out your state laws please click
on the relevant link.
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