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Posted By turbo266 on March 17, 2011

Stiffer Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in South Carolina

South Carolina ranks near the top for states with the worst drunk driving statistics. With nearly 37% of all auto accident fatalities involving alcohol or drunks, the new DUI law is an effort by South Carolina lawmakers to make its’ roads safer.

New laws impose bigger fines and more jail time for DUI convictions.Depending on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) when you are arrested, there is a new set of fines and required jail time.

The following is the guideline:

For Blood Alcohol Content from 0.08-0.09:

First Time Offenders: 2-30 days in jail OR 48 hours of community service, 0 fine

Subsequent Offenders: 5 days to 1 year in jail, 00-00 fine

For Blood Alcohol Content from 0.10-0.15:

First Time Offenders: 3-30 days in jail OR 72 hours of community service, 0 fine

Subsequent Offenders: 30 days to 2 years in jail, 00-00 fine

For Blood Alcohol Content from 0.16 and above:

First Time Offenders: 30-60 days in jail OR 30 days of community service, 00 fine

Subsequent Offenders: 90 days to 3 years in jail, 00-00 fine

Additional changes to the South Carolina DUI, effective July of 2009 include:

1. Required alcohol and drug rehabilitation for ALL offenders;

2. Underage drinkers will have their license suspended for six months;

3. Additional six month license suspension if you refuse a breath-test.

As you can see, there are severe consequences if you refuse to have your breath tested. South Carolina has an implied consent law that requires that you give consent to a blood, breath, or urine test if you are suspected of driving under the influence in South Carolina. No one is exempt from these laws—All drivers are dangerous drivers when they are intoxicated. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) hopes that these laws will deter motorists from even thinking about mixing drinking and driving.

The SCDPS also launched a media campaign in order to gain support and awareness of the new laws. To spread awareness of the new DUI law, TV commercials, billboards and additional public safety and Sheriff’s Department check points are abound across the state of South Carolina.

Therefore, if you choose to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you should be aware that if you are caught, you may be subject to high fines and long jail time if you are driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, are under 21 and driving with a BAC of .02 or higher, or are a Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.

In conclusion, even if you have just had a few drinks, it is not worth it to get behind the wheel in South Carolina. A drunk driving accident can have a devastating affect on your life, as well as the lives of others in the path of a drunk driver on the road. Do yourself and others a favor. Please do not drink and drive yourself, and please do your part to educate others about the consequences of driving under the influence in South Carolina.

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