When you’re behind the wheel, alcohol can affect your coordination and slow your reaction time to the point where driving can become dangerous to you and everyone on the road with you. Ignition interlock and driving under the influence (DUI) laws are designed to keep people safe, and each state has their own unique set of laws and penalties to keep drinking drivers off of the road.
In Idaho, you are considered to be driving under the influence if you have the following blood alcohol concentrations (BAC):
- .02% BAC if you are younger than 21
- .04% BAC if you are driving a commercial vehicle
- .08% BAC if you are over the age of 21 and driving a standard vehicle
The Idaho Transportation Department notes that, if you are under the influence of another intoxicating substance, you can still be charged for DUI even when your blood alcohol concentration is less than .08%. Idaho also passed an ignition interlock bill requiring repeat offenders to install interlock devices as part of the penalty requirements after a DUI charge.
For a first time DUI offender in Idaho, the penalties are:
- Jail time of up to six months
- Fines payable up to $1000
- License suspension of a minimum of 90 days and up to 180 days
- If you are under 21, you will receive a license suspension of up to 1 year
Second time DUI offenders who receive a DUI charge within five years of the first will receive:
- Jail time ranging from 10 days up to 1 year
- Fines payable up to $2000
- Loss of license for a period of 1 year or 2 years if you are under 21
- Ignition Interlock installation in any vehicle you drive
Idaho ignition interlock and DUI laws are designed to keep drinking drivers off of the road, and even one or two drinks can result in your being too intoxicated to drive. If you’re drinking at all, call a cab or give the keys to someone else.