"Super-Drunk" Laws Go Into Effect

New laws recently went into effect that double jail sentences and license suspensions and expand the use of substance abuse treatment programs for first-time offenders who are convicted of having higher blood-alcohol levels while driving. The new law essentially creates a new class of blood-alcohol content of 0.17 percent or higher for serious first-time offenders, which is slightly more than twice the minimum of 0.08 percent required for a drunk driving conviction. Those convicted under the new law will get an automatic one-year suspension of their driver’s license, up to 180 days in jail, bigger fines and mandatory treatment for substance abuse. However, after the first 45 days of a license suspension, most first-time offenders can drive again if they install a breath alcohol ignition device in their vehicle, which prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver’s breath has an alcohol level of 0.025 or higher.