Arizona enacts toughest DUI laws in nation
Neal Fassbender
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
The state of Arizona has recently enacted the toughest DUI laws in the nation. Previously, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) had been lowered from .10% to .08%; now the punitive aspects have been greatly expanded. There are serious ramifications for first time offenders, and also new felony laws for repeat offenders. Significant fines, suspended licenses, jail time, probation, and ignition interlock devices are part of the new DUI laws for Arizona.
The question remains as to whether these higher penalties will become a deterrent to driving intoxicated. It only takes one drink to raise the BAC to above .08% which means you qualify as a drunk driver when behind the wheel. A guide to help understand this is: one 12-ounce beer, 3- to 4-ounce glass of wine or one ounce of 80 proof distilled liquor (40% alcohol) will put a person over the legal limit. You will fail a breathalyzer field sobriety test and you will be arrested for DUI if you exceed the legal limit, at which point you will surrender your driver's license to the law enforcement officer on the spot.
So how can one best prevent getting a potentially devastating DUI citation? The obvious solution is DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! There are alternatives: call a cab, have a designated driver, stay at home, or simply do not consume alcoholic beverages. The DUI laws apply to all types of intoxication, not just from drinking alcohol. Even sleep aid drugs have a warning on the label about not driving or using heavy equipment when taking these kinds of medications. It takes approximately 45 minutes for the alcohol to first reach the blood stream and nearly twice as long for it to dissipate. Body mass, food, and caffeine really do nothing to alter the BAC; drinking coffee, for example, only makes you a more awake drunk.
Regardless of personal choices in life, it is useful to note that moderation can be a fundamental key for avoiding trouble; using common sense is also helpful. The new state statutes include an extreme DUI category with mandatory jail time and a "super extreme" level where DUI offenders have a blood alcohol content of .20%. This threshold includes higher fines and a required minimum of 45 days in jail. If you drive a commercial vehicle (this includes all ERAU transportation) the BAC need only be .04% for the driver to be considered legally intoxicated. The safety department has a copy of the Arizona DUI laws in the office if you are interested in knowing more about this.
The question remains as to whether these higher penalties will become a deterrent to driving intoxicated. It only takes one drink to raise the BAC to above .08% which means you qualify as a drunk driver when behind the wheel. A guide to help understand this is: one 12-ounce beer, 3- to 4-ounce glass of wine or one ounce of 80 proof distilled liquor (40% alcohol) will put a person over the legal limit. You will fail a breathalyzer field sobriety test and you will be arrested for DUI if you exceed the legal limit, at which point you will surrender your driver's license to the law enforcement officer on the spot.
So how can one best prevent getting a potentially devastating DUI citation? The obvious solution is DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! There are alternatives: call a cab, have a designated driver, stay at home, or simply do not consume alcoholic beverages. The DUI laws apply to all types of intoxication, not just from drinking alcohol. Even sleep aid drugs have a warning on the label about not driving or using heavy equipment when taking these kinds of medications. It takes approximately 45 minutes for the alcohol to first reach the blood stream and nearly twice as long for it to dissipate. Body mass, food, and caffeine really do nothing to alter the BAC; drinking coffee, for example, only makes you a more awake drunk.
Regardless of personal choices in life, it is useful to note that moderation can be a fundamental key for avoiding trouble; using common sense is also helpful. The new state statutes include an extreme DUI category with mandatory jail time and a "super extreme" level where DUI offenders have a blood alcohol content of .20%. This threshold includes higher fines and a required minimum of 45 days in jail. If you drive a commercial vehicle (this includes all ERAU transportation) the BAC need only be .04% for the driver to be considered legally intoxicated. The safety department has a copy of the Arizona DUI laws in the office if you are interested in knowing more about this.
Be the first to comment on this story