California DUI Laws

More than 30 percent of all traffic fatalities, or about 1,000 fatal crashes in California involved alcohol-impaired drivers, according to a 2008 survey. Also, the state has one of the highest DUI incidents in the country, with an annual arrest of 8,500 for every 100,000 licensed drivers.  This statistics does not include thousands of drivers who have not been charged with DUI but had admitted to occasionally drive their cars while being drunk.

To curb alcohol-related crashes, California has recently passed these new traffic laws:

Zero Tolerance Law for Repeat Offenders

Assembly Bill 1165

Drivers with multiple DUI charges are prohibited to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.01 percent and higher, much stricter compared to the BAC limit of 0.08 percent imposed to adult drivers who have not yet been arrested for DUI.

Under this law, repeat offenders will face higher fines and stiffer penalties if they are found to be driving with a BAC level higher than the allowable limit.

Installation of Ignition Interlock Device

Assembly Bill 91 / Senate Bill 1388

This breath-analyzer device, which is installed in the cars of people under DUI probation, can detect the BAC level and will prevent drivers to start the engine if their alcohol level exceeds the legal limit.

According to California Department of Motor Vehicle, drivers under this program should pay for the installation of this breath-analyzer device.

DUI Reckless Driving

Assembly Bill 2802

With this law, courts can order people convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving to participate in programs which include group counseling, individual interview sessions, and education about alcohol abuse.

Failure to complete, participate, and enroll to the DUI Reckless Driving Program will result to stiffer penalties and revocation of the driver’s license.

Other DUI Laws in California

Zero Tolerance for Minors

Drivers aged 21 years and younger are not allowed to drive with a BAC level of 0.01 percent and higher.

In addition to this strict DUI law for younger drivers, they are also prohibited to have any alcoholic beverage inside their cars, unless they are accompanied by an adult or if this is work-related.

DUI Law for Commercial Drivers

Drivers of commercial vehicles such as buses and large trucks are prohibited to drive with a BAC level of 0.04 percent and higher. This law covers people, even those who have no commercial driver’s license, as long as they are driving a commercial vehicle.

If you've been charged with a DUI, talk to a DUI lawyer to find out if you can defend the case and reduce the sentence or beat the charge.