We’ve all seen those clever highway signs reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel after a cold one (or two), but how many of us do it anyway? Statistically, a lot! An estimated 300,000 intoxicated people drive on the road every day — and the average person will drive under the influence 80 times before getting caught.

Sadly, nearly two-thirds of Americans will experience a car crash involving alcohol at some point, and 27 people die every day because of a drunk driver. Despite the state transportation department’s attempts to make light of the subject, driving while impaired is no laughing matter. That is exactly why Arizona has the strictest DUI laws in the country.

Arizona is a zero-tolerance state, which means officers use their own discretion to determine whether you’re impaired, even if you’re below the legal limit of 0.08 BAC. Your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is the percentage of alcohol in your bloodstream, and this number is independent of your feeling of intoxication. Because of these rigid laws, in Arizona alone, 1 in 50 people has received a DUI in the past five years — roughly 140,000 people!

Arizona isn’t just tough on alcohol. Drug DUIs are just as intense! With Arizona’s zero-tolerance policy, you can be convicted of DUI with any amount of a drug metabolite in your system — even if you are not under the influence. This includes prescription medications like Xanax and recreationally legal marijuana.

Because some drugs like marijuana stay in your system for a long time, you could theoretically be pulled over on a Tuesday morning driving to work, not having smoked since Saturday night — be required to submit to a blood test — and wind up guilty of DUI in court! A DUI charge means an automatic license suspension of 90 days and a mandatory drug and alcohol screening to determine if you need treatment for a substance use disorder. Once convicted, additional penalties vary depending upon severity and range from minor fines to prison time, extensive treatment and license revocation for a year or more.

As you can see, DUI laws and penalties can be confusing and difficult to navigate. Luckily, Alyssa Tonking at Turning Point Recovery LLC is well-versed in Arizona statute and is certified by ADOT and the Arizona Department of Health Services to help you navigate the wild world of DUI.

Not everyone who receives a DUI needs treatment for substance use. But working with an experienced counselor who specializes in substance use disorders can help expedite the process of getting you back on the road safely. If you’ve found yourself “nailed,” call today for a free consultation.

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