NEW DUI LAWS:

EFFECTIVE 2-1-2004:

Pennsylvania has taken a "tiered" approach to D.U.I. enforcement, creating stiffer penalties for repeat offenders, and offenders with high concentration of alcohol in their system. It also creates more relaxed penalties for first time offenders, and those with lower blood alcohol levels, therefore encouraging rehabilitation.

PENALTIES

BAC LEVEL .08 to .099

1st Offense: Ungraded Misdemeanor. 6 Months Probation. $300 Fine.

2nd Offense: Ungraded Misdemeanor. 5 Days Jail. $300-$2500 Fine. 12 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

3rd and subsequent offenses: Ungraded Misdemeanor. 10 Days Jail. $500-$5000 Fine. 12 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

 

BAC LEVEL .10 to .159 Or Involved in an Accident with injuries

1st Offense: Ungraded Misdemeanor. 2 Days Jail. $500-$5000 Fine. 12 Month License Suspension

2nd Offense: Ungraded Misdemeanor. 30 Days Jail. $750-$5000 Fine. 12 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

3rd offense: Misdemeanor 1st Degree. 90 Days Jail. $1500-$10000 Fine. 18 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

4th or subsequent offenses: Misdemeanor 1st Degree. 1 Year Jail. $1500-$10000 Fine. 18 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

 

BAC LEVEL .16 and Higher Or Refusing a Blood Test

1st Offense: Ungraded Misdemeanor. 3 Days Jail. $1000-$5000 Fine. 12 Month License Suspension.

2nd Offense: Misdemeanor 1st Deg. 90 Days Jail. $1500 minimum Fine. 18 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

3rd and subsequent offenses: Misdemeanor 1st Deg. 1 Year minimum Jail. $2500 Minimum Fine. 18 Month License Suspension. Mandatory 1 year Ignition Interlock.

Alcohol Impairment Chart

This chart is intended as a guide,
not a guarantee.

Alcohol affects individuals differently. Your blood alcohol level may be affected by your age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed and any drugs or medication. In addition, different drinks may contain different amounts of alcohol, so it's important to know how much and the concentration of alcohol you consume.

For purposes of this guide, "one drink" is equal to 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

A woman drinking an equal amount of alcohol in the same period of time as a man of an equivalent weight may have a higher blood alcohol level than that man. Therefore, women should refer to the female "Know Your Limits" chart.

Some states have set .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving Under the Influence. For commercial drivers, a BAC of .04% can result in a DUI conviction nationwide.

IMPAIRMENT BEGINS WITH YOUR FIRST DRINK.

 

FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, NEVER DRIVE AFTER DRINKING!

 

 

BAC Chart for Men

BAC Chart for Women



 

Men

 

Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage

Drinks

Body Weight in Pounds

 

 

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

 

0

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

Only Safe
Driving Limit

1

.04

.03

.03

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

Impairment
Begins

2

.08

.06

.05

.05

.04

.04

.03

.03

Driving
Skills
Significantly
Affected

Possible
Criminal
Penalties

3

.11

.09

.08

.07

.06

.06

.05

.05

4

.15

.12

.11

.09

.08

.08

.07

.06

5

.19

.16

.13

.12

.11

.09

.09

.08

6

.23

.19

.16

.14

.13

.11

.10

.09

7

.26

.22

.19

.16

.15

.13

.12

.11

Legally
Intoxicated
 

Criminal
Penalties

8

.30

.25

.21

.19

.17

.15

.14

.13

9

.34

.28

.24

.21

.19

.17

.15

.14

10

.38

.31

.27

.23

.21

.19

.17

.16

Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

 



 

Women

 

Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage

Drinks

Body Weight in Pounds

 

 

90

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

 

0

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

Only Safe
Driving Limit

1

.05

.05

.04

.03

.03

.03

.02

.02

.02

Impairment
Begins

2

.10

.09

.08

.07

.06

.05

.05

.04

.04

Driving Skills
Significantly
Affected

Possible
Criminal
Penalties

3

.15

.14

.11

.10

.09

.08

.07

.06

.06

4

.20

.18

.15

.13

.11

.10

.09

.08

.08

5

.25

.23

.19

.16

.14

.13

.11

.10

.09

6

.30

.27

.23

.19

.17

.15

.14

.12

.11

Legally
Intoxicated
 

Criminal
Penalties

7

.35

.32

.27

.23

.20

.18

.16

.14

.13

8

.40

.36

.30

.26

.23

.20

.18

.17

.15

9

.45

.41

.34

.29

.26

.23

.20

.19

.17

10

.51

.45

.38

.32

.28

.25

.23

.21

.19

Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

 

 

Data supplied by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

 

 

 

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