Alcohol abuse remains a major contribution to traffic fatalities. MADD reports that 4,398 traffic fatalities occurred in the U. S. between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve during 2000, of these deaths, approximately 40 percent (1708!) involved alcohol.

The number of arrests for "Driving Under the Influence" has declined between 1986 and 1997 from 1.8 million to 1.5 million while the number of licensed drivers has increased by 15%. This reduction has been attributed to new laws and programs that have been introduced throughout the United States.

If you are arrested for "Driving Under the Influence" be prepared to pay a significant amount of money. The average cost to a first time offender would be approximately $15,000 to $18,000 over a five-year period. This would include the arrest, court fines and costs, attorney fees, days missed at work and the increase in vehicle insurance. The offender may also be placed on correctional supervision (prison, jail or probation). In 1997 for every 1,000 DUI arrests, 347 offenders were under correctional supervision compared to 151 in 1986.

Remember if you are with someone who has been drinking FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DRIVE DRUNK!

If a friend or guest has had too much to drink, DON'T LET THEM DRIVE! You can:

1. Call them a cab

2. Drive them home

3. Invite them to stay overnight

4. Take their keys

5. Call the police if everything else fails

State of Michigan - Driving Under the Influence Consequences

In October of 1999, the State of Michigan restructured the penalties for “Driving Under the Influence”. Please view the following chart outlining the penalties for an alcohol driving offense.

Click Here To View Penalties

Alcohol Impairment Chart

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

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, a woman 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.

Click Here To View BAC Levels

Alcohol affects individuals differently.

.02% Drivers show mild change, may seem slightly elated.

.05% Drivers hesitant; alternate from “who cares?” to impulsive aggression.

.10% Judgment seriously affected. Coordination impaired. Legally considered “under the influence”. Simply stated – DON'T DRIVE.

.15% Unmistakably drunk. All faculties seriously affected.

.30% Stuporous.

.40% Unconscious. Possibly in coma and on verge of death.