Alcohol/Drugs

• Alcohol reduces all skills you need to drive safely. If enough alcohol is consumed, the results can progress to drowsiness, sleep, unconsciousness, and eventually, death. Unlike most food, alcohol does not have to be digested. Once swallowed, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach and small intestine, usually within 20-40 minutes. If there is food in the stomach, this absorption process may be slowed.
• Drugs that can affect driving ability

  • Drugs taken for headaches
  • Drugs taken for colds
  • Drugs taken for hay fever
  • Drugs taken for other allergies
  • Drugs to calm nerves
• Other drugs that can affect driving

  • Pep pills
  • Uppers
  • Energy drinks
  • Diet pills
• Other prescription drugs can affect your reflexes, judgment, vision, and alertness in ways similar to alcohol.
• If you are arrested or convicted of driving under the influence of drugs, the penalties are the same as for any alcohol violation.
• After alcohol, marijuana is the second most common substance that affects drivers.
• It takes one hour for the body to get rid of one average drink (5oz/15ml).
• Penalties for first arrest within seven years (21 or older)

  1. BAC of .08 or more, or THC/marijuana level of 5.00 nanograms per milliliter of blood or higher

  2. License suspended for 90 days

  3. May be able to get a restricted license to operate vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device
• Penalties for first arrest (under 21)

  1. .02 BAC or THC/marijuana level of more than 0.00 nanograms per milliliter of blood

  2. License suspended for 90 days
• Penalties for first arrest and refusing breath test

  License revoked for one year
• Penalties for more than one arrest within past seven years

  License revoked for two years
• Penalties for more than one arrest within past seven years (under 21)


  License revoked for one year or until age 21, whichever is longer
• You can be arrested for a DUI if your BAC is under the legal limit.
• The Implied Consent Law means that every licensed driver inherently agrees to submit to either breath or blood tests upon being arrested on charges of DUI. In other words, to obey the law, a driver who is arrested for drunk driving must submit either a breath or a blood sample.
• You'll be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) if you've had:

  • A conviction for an alcohol or drug-related DUI or physical control of a motor vehicle.
  • A conviction of operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock device installed.
  • Some convictions of reckless driving.
  • Some convictions of negligent driving.
  • Some convictions of circumventing an ignition interlock device.
  • Any court-ordered IID requirement.