California #1 In Average Rate Hikes After First DUI Conviction
Finance website WalletHub recently said that those facing their first drunk driving conviction could expect an average rate increase that was the highest in the nation.
The study from WalletHub said that California was the 34th toughest state on drunk drivers after looking at factors that included fines, sentences and ignition-lock requirements. The Automobile Club of California wrote that expenses for a first DUI conviction can include a DMV licensing re-issue fee, victim restitution fund contribution, vehicle tow/storage and alcohol education classes.
Overall, they estimate that fines, fees and other expenses could be north of $15,000 for a first offense.
California also introduced an additional law in 1990 known as “Administrative Per Se” (APS), which can lead to the suspension or revocation of your license independent from any other criminal charges. APS comes into effect when a person refuses or fails a test to determine Blood Alcohol Content.
The study said that South Dakota had the most lenient penalties due to the lack of mandatory jail time or license suspension.
Arizona’s long jail terms put it at the top of the list for harshest penalties, according to the study. Estimates are that drunk driving results in at least $40 billion per year in economic loss, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 31% of driving deaths 2014 were due to driving while impaired with alcohol.
However, state by state efforts since the 1980s to clamp down on drunk driving resulted in a 57 percent decline in deaths from 1982 to 2014, WalletHub said.
Law enforcement officers often use tests in order to determine the intoxication of a person suspected of DUI. After explaining and demonstrating the proper techniques, police sometimes use an inability to follow their instructions as a clue to help determine the approximate Blood Alcohol Content of a driver.
Officers must have reasonable suspicion that a driver is under the influence of alcohol in order to progress a situation from a stop to a DUI investigation. However, the failure by law enforcement to follow conduct standards could lead to less of a criminal penalty if some or all of the evidence is allowed to be excluded.
Consultations at our office are always free. If you find yourself facing a DUI investigation, be sure to call our office at 800-797-8406 to speak with an attorney in order to help you navigate through the legal process.
