Arizona DUI Limits Likely to Change

Arizona is likely to change its DUI laws for repeat offenders after a bill sponsored by Senator Jim Waring R-Phoenix is voted on by state officials.  The bill aims to curb repeat offenders by lowering their legal blood alcohol limits from 0.08 to 0.05.  The lowered blood alcohol levels would be for repeat offenders who had been convicted of more than one DUI in the past five years.  Maine has a similar law that proponents say has led to a decrease in repeat drunk driving offenses in that state.

Waring is also working with the state chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving to create a bill that would result in a no-tolerance for anyone convicted of an “extreme” DWI, or driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.  Anyone caught with a blood alcohol level above 0.00 after being convicted of an extreme DUI would be arrested on suspicion of a DUI if the extreme DUI occurred in the last five years.

Critics of the bill say that the laws would not reduce the number of DUI related accidents and fatalities and would just end up costing the state more in police fees and incarceration related expenses.  In addition, DUI cases tend to be costly for the state, especially when they go to trial.  The blood alcohol limit of 0.05 has also not been proven to impair drivers of any vehicles, regardless of any past behaviors.

DUI offenders already face stiff penalties for receiving multiple convictions.  First time offenders are fined $950 for a regular DUI and $1,700 for an extreme DUI.  The penalty for a second conviction is a fine of $1,250 more.  These fines are in addition to the legal costs associated with their convictions.