Proposal to change BAC limits may mean more DUI arrests

June 08, 2013 (Press-News.org) Proposal to change BAC limits may mean more DUI arrests

Article provided by Palmer | George, PLLC
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Police and prosecutors take many different actions in their efforts to reduce crime. Law enforcement officers may increase their presence in high-crime areas so that people know they are being watched. Prosecutors may seek aggressive penalties when trying their cases, meaning that there are severe consequences for those convicted.

Many people who are arrested for DUIare unaware that they have had too much to drink before driving. They do not feel like their abilities are impaired, but when stopped by law enforcement, they register well-above the legal limits. This has led to some discussion regarding the blood-alcohol content (BAC) levels that states use when tracking drunk drivers.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the government agency responsible for investigation accidents that occur on our country's roadways. The NTSB reviews these crashes to learn about the causes of the accidents, and then may offer suggestions on how states can prevent these crashes from happening in the future.

Recently, the NTSB has become concerned with the relatively constant number of drunk-driving accidents. These accidents have not decreased as much as the agency would like, which has led them to consider some ways to address this problem.

One solution that the NTSB has proposed is lowering BAC levels. Currently, in Idaho, drivers can be charged with DUI if their BAC is 0.08 percent or higher. The NTSB would like to see this changed to 0.05 percent.

The NTSB's proposal has received considerable attention in the media, but there has not been any significant movement toward adopting lower BAC rates. If the number does drop, the number of those facing DUI charges could increase substantially. However, even if changes are not made, police will still be aggressively patrolling for drunk drivers, and will not hesitate to make an arrest if a motorist demonstrates signs of impairment.

In Idaho, those convicted of DUI face a range of penalties. A first-offense will result in the loss of driving privileges, and may also bring jail time. Additional convictions will increase those penalties, which could mean that the motorist may have to spend more than a year in jail. Those who have BAC levels of 0.20 percent of higher will face increased penalties if convicted. This includes a mandatory ten days in jail for first-time offenders.

If you have been arrested for DUI, remember that you have rights at this time. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you protect yourself as you go through this process. It is important to understand that these are serious accusations. A conviction can have an impact on your entire life.