| DUI laws seem to be constantly changing. At any | | | | increasing the penalties for anyone who refuses a |
| given point, multiple state legislatures may be debating | | | | breath test. |
| new laws that change how drunk driving is charged, | | | | DUI Penalties |
| how evidence is collected and what penalties are | | | | The penalties for drunk driving vary widely from |
| handed down for convictions. | | | | state-to-state. In general, drunk driving sentences for |
| Consider, in the first three months of 2009: | | | | first-time offenders will include: |
| - Two states passed new DUI laws (Utah and New | | | | - Jail time |
| Mexico) | | | | - Fines |
| - New DUI laws went into effect in two other states | | | | - Driver’s license suspension |
| (Illinois and South Caroilna) | | | | Some states DUI punishments may also include: |
| - Eight states are currently debating changes to their | | | | - Ignition interlock device use |
| existing DUI laws (Oregon, Rhode Island, Kentucky, | | | | - Community service |
| Kansas, Wyoming, Louisiana, Maryland, West Virginia) | | | | - Alcohol rehabilitation program |
| With drunk driving laws changing so rapidly in so many | | | | - Vehicle seizure |
| states, what can you expect if you get pulled over? | | | | The penalties for a DUI conviction increase, sometimes |
| During your traffic stop | | | | dramatically, for multiple DUI arrests. There may also |
| A police officer must have “probable cause” in | | | | be additional penalties for anyone that refuses a |
| order to pull you over on suspicion of drunk driving. | | | | breathalyzer during a DUI traffic stop and is later |
| Reasons for a traffic stop may include: | | | | convicted. |
| - Erratic driving, such as swerving in and out of lanes | | | | Most of the new state DUI laws increase the |
| - Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light | | | | punishments for DUI convictions, whether it’s a |
| - Illegal turn | | | | first-offender or someone with a history of drunk |
| - Driving with headlights off | | | | driving. |
| - Stopping in the road for no reason | | | | The most common changes include increasing fines |
| Once you have been pulled over, a police officer may | | | | and jail time, but the use of ignition interlock devices is |
| ask you to perform field sobriety tests (such as the | | | | also on the rise. |
| one-leg stand test). The officer may also ask you to | | | | Ignition interlock devices must be rented, installed and |
| submit to a breath test. Using a small machine, such as | | | | monitored at the driver’s expense. Once installed, |
| a breathalyzer, you breath into a tube and the machine | | | | the devices require the driver of the car to pass a |
| uses the breath sample to gauge blood alcohol | | | | breath test or the car will not stop. Typically, the driver |
| content, or BAC. | | | | must also pass additional tests while driving. |
| Some of the new DUI laws being considered are | | | | The devices also have built-in features, such as digital |
| making it easier for police officers to get the search | | | | cameras, to prevent tricking the machine or altering |
| warrants needed for a blood sample, used to | | | | test results. |
| determine blood alcohol content. Some states are also | | | | |