top of page
DDOT_Impaired.jpg

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Nearly 30 people die
each day in motor vehicle crashes nationwide involving
an alcohol-impaired driver.

Impaired driving is one of the biggest threats to our roadways and causes of crashes, injuries and fatalities.

​

The District’s laws for impaired driving are clear, police officers are enforcing them, and prosecutors are seeking jail time. There are three distinct impaired driving laws that are enforced by the Metropolitan Police Department:

  • Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. A driver can be convicted in court based solely on the breath, blood or urine results without any structured field sobriety test.

  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – BAC of .07 percent or lower. A driver can be charged with DUI if, in addition to a BAC reading, the driver has other signs of impairment from a structured field sobriety test and from observations of the suspect’s driving behavior.

  • Under Age Drinking – Persons under 21 cannot purchase, consume, or possess any alcoholic beverages of any kind. If they are found to be operating a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol, they will be placed under arrest and charged with DWI.

 

If you’re arrested and convicted for a first-time impaired driving offense, penalties include:

  • Up to 90 days in jail

  • Six months license revocation

  • Increased insurance rates

  • Hefty fines

THE FACTS

  • In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.

  • Nearly 30 people die each day in motor vehicle crashes nationwide involving an alcohol-impaired driver.

  • One person dies every 51 minutes,

  • 30 percent of the total motor vehicle fatalities in the US are due to impaired drivers.

  • The cost of alcohol-related crashes is more than $59 billion annually.

bottom of page