Alabama may be among the states with the lowest alcohol consumption per person, coming in at 1.97 gallons compared to the highest consumption of 4.4 gallons in New Hampshire, but there are still people driving under the influence (DUI) in Alabama. In 2012, they joined other states in the effort to reduce DUI by utilizing ignition interlocks in Alabama for repeat offenders and first-time offenders with a blood-alcohol level (BAC) of .15 and over.
If you’re a first offender convicted of driving under the influence in Alabama, you’ll be subject to the following penalties:
- You could receive up to 1 year in jail
- You’ll pay fines ranging from $500 to $2000 plus $100 designated for the Impaired Drivers Trust Fund
- Will be required to attend DUI treatment and education program
- If you have a blood-alcohol level of .08 to .15, you’ll receive a 90-day license suspension unless you opt to install an ignition interlock in your vehicle for 6 months
- If you have a blood-alcohol level of .15 or greater, you’ll be required to install an ignition interlock device for 2 years
- If you have a passenger under the age of 14 in your vehicle or cause injury to a third party, you’ll be required to install an ignition interlock for 2 years after a 45 day period of license suspension
Offenders who receive a second DUI in Alabama will receive the following penalties:
- You could spend 48 hours up to 1 year in jail
- Spend 20 days doing community service
- Pay fines up to $5000 plus $100 toward Impaired Drivers Trust Fund
- With a blood-alcohol level of .08 or greater, there is a mandatory ignition interlock requirement and a 1-year license suspension. After 45 days of license suspension, you may be granted a stay if you install the ignition interlock for 2 years
- If your blood alcohol level is .15 or above or if you have a child under the age of 14 in your vehicle, there is a mandatory installation of the ignition interlock for a period of 4 years
2012 data showed 286 arrests in Alabama for driving under the influence and 257 alcohol-related fatalities. Of those crashes resulting in death, 67.4% involved a driver with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or over. Hopefully, with the addition of ignition interlock laws, Alabama can reduce the amount of DUI crashes in the state.