DUI & DWI

Be responsible when drinking alcohol. If you drink, don't drive; if you drive, don't drink. Appoint, or volunteer to be, a designated driver.

Being aware of how alcohol and drugs affect your driving is important for your safety. When you don't drink responsibly, you can be arrested for DUI or DWI; or even worse, you might be involved in a crash.

Blood Alcohol Content

A police officer may pull you over for DUI or DWI if you are not accelerating smoothly, stop abruptly, weave out of your lane, or drive dangerously. The most common test for alcohol is the blood alcohol content.

In Arkansas, if you are old enough to legally drink―21 years old― then you will be charged with DWI if you have .08% BAC. For drivers younger than 21, the limit drops to .02% BAC.

The BAC limit for commercial drivers is .04% and carries serious consequences, particularly if you are driving a commercial vehicle when you are arrested.

Drugs and DUI

Your driver fitness is also affected by medicines and drugs. Some medications, prescription or over-the-counter, can affect your driving. If you take drugs and drink alcohol, you could become sleepy, disoriented, or have trouble seeing.

Read the warnings and interactions accompanying all medicines to determine whether your driving will be impaired.

Using illegal drugs, like marijuana or methamphetamines, can be dangerous. Your reaction time, senses, and judgment are all affected when you take drugs and then get behind the wheel.

Arkansas enforces the Implied Consent Law, which means a law enforcement officer can test you for drugs or alcohol during a traffic stop if he suspects use. When you applied for an Arkansas driver's license, you automatically agreed to the Implied Consent Law.

DUI and DWI Penalties

Every DUI or DWI arrest is judged case by case because sometimes there are other circumstances, like resisting arrest or excessive speed. As a rule, however, your first offense is a fine ($150 to $1,000) and 120 days of license suspension.

If you are arrested and convicted a second time, then you will lose your license for two years. With a third offense, your license is suspended for 30 months and with a fourth offense, you lose your license for four years.

You may also have to pay fines and attend an approved alcohol rehabilitation program. Before you can apply for a license reinstatement, you'll need to satisfy all of the requirements demanded by the court.

Reinstatement

You will pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back. And once you are reinstated, you must keep a clean record to avoid accumulating any administrative points.

The consequences of DUI are far reaching. Financially you will spend a lot of money on lawyers, insurance, and even lost time at work. Socially you will be burdened with having to find rides to events and will miss some social outings. When you are arrested for DUI it affects everyone.

But the law is forgiving and the restitution process is designed to help you emerge from your suspension a safer, more responsible driver. And often, your new appreciation for your driver's license results in a long and safe driving career.