As you venture out during the holiday season, please remember to be safe on the roads and to take Kentucky DUI laws seriously.
For three days in early December, highway patrols in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Indiana conducted a effort that resulted in about 700 DUI arrests.
More than 250 arrests were made in Pennsylvania, 280 in Ohio. There were 75 arrests in Kentucky, 48 in Michigan, 25 in West Virginia and 20 in Indiana.
DUI in Kentucky
In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the terms “Driving While Intoxicated” and Driving Under the Influence” or DWI and DUI, are used interchangeably and refer to the use of any substance that impairs your ability to drive.
Penalties for DUI/DWI stiffen as the number increases:
- First offense in a 10-year period includes suspended license for 30 to 120 days and 90 days of an alcohol or substance abuse program. The court may order the use of an ignition interlock device after the suspension period.
- Second offense in a 10-year period includes license suspension and license plate forfeiture for 12 to 18 months and one year of alcohol or substance abuse treatment. The court may order the use of an ignition interlock device after the suspension period.
- Third offense within a 10-year period includes suspended license and license plate forfeiture for 24 to 36 months and one year of alcohol or substance abuse training. The court may order the use of an ignition interlock device after the suspension period.
- Fourth offense within a 10-year period includes a 60-month license suspension and license plate forfeiture and one year of alcohol or substance abuse treatment. The court may order the use of an ignition interlock device after the suspension period.
A commercial driver convicted of DUI will be suspended for one year and must pass written and vision tests before receiving a new commercial license permit. After 14 days, the driver can retake all the applicable skills tests for license renewal.