The facts:
Drunk driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the
United States. In the state of Texas this crime is committed
more frequently than in any other state. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 1,745
alcohol-related fatalities in Texas in 2002, and 3,675 in 2003,
with 41% of those individuals having a BAC (blood alcohol concentration)
of less than or equal to 0.08. The national average is one alcohol-related
fatality every 31 minutes. In 2003, there were over 10,000 DWI
and DUI convictions in Fort Bend and Harris counties combined.
These offenses continue to be a major area of concern for law
enforcement and NHTSA officials. In Texas, the legal limit is
.08 BAC however drivers can be stopped and cited for driving
while impaired regardless of BAC level.
What happens if you get stopped:
If a law enforcement officer asks you to take a blood or breath
test in order to measure your BAC and you refuse, you are subject
to an automatic 180-day suspension of your driver’s license.
Punishment for DWI varies depending on the number of times you’ve
been stopped.
First offense:
A fine up to $2,000
72 hours to 180 days in jail
Drivers license suspension of 90 days to a year
Second offense:
A fine up to $4,000
30 days to a year in jail
Drivers license suspension of 180 days to two years
Third offense:
A fine up to $10,000
2 to 10 years in a federal penitentiary
Drivers license suspension of 180 days to two years
Safeway Drivers would like to encourage all Houston
residents to exercise sound judgement when planning to consume
alcohol. Please
don’t drink and drive, make a reservation if
you intend to drink. There is an abundance of information available
through organizations such as MADD, NHTSA and NCSA.
Please drink responsibly.
