Vermont DUI Laws Are Making a Difference
The State of Vermont has been clamping down on drunk driving offenders, and the statistics are proving the results.
There has been a 54% decline in alcohol-related driving accidents since 1998, which is the highest improvement of any State.
Vermont wants to ensure that this trend continues, so the State legislature is discussing whether to strengthen its DUI laws by lowering the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, the point at which a person is deemed to be intoxicated, from .
08 to .
05.
This means that almost anyone who has had two or more drinks and chooses to drive could potentially be found guilty of a Vermont DUI.
Vermont is one of only three States that does not already have an ignition interlock device (IID) law.
An IID is similar to a breathalyzer, in that a driver blows into it; the vehicle will not operate if the driver has consumed alcohol over a pre-set level.
The Vermont House is working on Bill 363, which will allow a court to order the installation of an IID upon the second or any subsequent offense of operating while intoxicated.
An IID will also be required for anyone who has a BAC of.
15 or higher.
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Vermont is referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The intoxicant doesn't have to be alcohol - it can be any controlled substance, or a combination of substances.
If you've been convicted of your first Vermont DWI, you'll face up to two years in jail, DUI fines of up to $750, and surcharges of a minimum of $160.
Your license will be suspended for 90 days, and its reinstatement is dependent upon completion of DUI classes; e.
g.
, an alcohol and driving education program, treatment assessment, and a therapy program.
A second DUI conviction will bring a jail term of up to two years, a fine of $1,500, and surcharges of a minimum of $160.
Your license will be suspended for 18 months, and reinstatement is dependent upon the completion of an alcohol and driving rehabilitation program.
You will be required to serve for a minimum of 200 hours in the community, or spend a minimum of 60 consecutive hours in prison.
A third Vermont DUI / DWI offense will put you in jail for a maximum of five years, impose fines of a maximum of $2,500, and surcharges of a minimum of $160.
Your driver's license will be suspended for your lifetime; however, your license may be restored after a period of three years of total abstinence from drugs and alcohol, along with a $500 application fee.
You may be required to forfeit your vehicle.
You must serve 400 hours in the community, or a minimum of 1,000 consecutive hour in prison.
There has been a 54% decline in alcohol-related driving accidents since 1998, which is the highest improvement of any State.
Vermont wants to ensure that this trend continues, so the State legislature is discussing whether to strengthen its DUI laws by lowering the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, the point at which a person is deemed to be intoxicated, from .
08 to .
05.
This means that almost anyone who has had two or more drinks and chooses to drive could potentially be found guilty of a Vermont DUI.
Vermont is one of only three States that does not already have an ignition interlock device (IID) law.
An IID is similar to a breathalyzer, in that a driver blows into it; the vehicle will not operate if the driver has consumed alcohol over a pre-set level.
The Vermont House is working on Bill 363, which will allow a court to order the installation of an IID upon the second or any subsequent offense of operating while intoxicated.
An IID will also be required for anyone who has a BAC of.
15 or higher.
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Vermont is referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The intoxicant doesn't have to be alcohol - it can be any controlled substance, or a combination of substances.
If you've been convicted of your first Vermont DWI, you'll face up to two years in jail, DUI fines of up to $750, and surcharges of a minimum of $160.
Your license will be suspended for 90 days, and its reinstatement is dependent upon completion of DUI classes; e.
g.
, an alcohol and driving education program, treatment assessment, and a therapy program.
A second DUI conviction will bring a jail term of up to two years, a fine of $1,500, and surcharges of a minimum of $160.
Your license will be suspended for 18 months, and reinstatement is dependent upon the completion of an alcohol and driving rehabilitation program.
You will be required to serve for a minimum of 200 hours in the community, or spend a minimum of 60 consecutive hours in prison.
A third Vermont DUI / DWI offense will put you in jail for a maximum of five years, impose fines of a maximum of $2,500, and surcharges of a minimum of $160.
Your driver's license will be suspended for your lifetime; however, your license may be restored after a period of three years of total abstinence from drugs and alcohol, along with a $500 application fee.
You may be required to forfeit your vehicle.
You must serve 400 hours in the community, or a minimum of 1,000 consecutive hour in prison.
