Utah Drunk Driving Laws

Every driver knows drunk driving is against the law. However, what most of these individuals do not realize is that their definition of “drunk” is very different from the term’s legal meaning. Like most states, Utah drunk driving laws have stringent guidelines limiting the amount of alcohol a person can have in his or her bloodstream when operating a motor vehicle. Known as blood alcohol content (BAC) restrictions, these guidelines are the standard metric used to determine a driver’s level of impairment. Unfortunately, this means it is possible for a driver to appear sober when he or she is legally intoxicated.

According to state law, the term “driving under the influence” (DUI) means that a person is driving with an illegal amount of alcohol in his or her system. To determine this figure, officers rely on chemical testing procedures, which use a breath, blood, or urine sample to measure the percentage of alcohol a driver has in his or her bloodstream. This calculation, in turn, becomes BAC.

In Utah, a driver is considered legally impaired when his or her BAC reaches 0.08% or higher. Therefore, even if your ability to drive is not affected, you can still be charged with DUI for driving with an illegal blood alcohol content. However, underage drivers and commercial vehicle operators are exempt from the 0.08% limit, as state law imposes lower BAC guidelines for these individuals—0.02% and 0.04%, respectively.

If you are pulled over by an officer suspects you are under the influence of alcohol, you are required to submit to chemical testing. In fact, under the state’s “Implied Consent Law,” refusing to perform a breathalyzer or other chemical test will automatically lead to your arrest—and in some cases, you will face more severe penalties than a person who failed the test.

Like most states, Utah has strict sentencing guidelines in place for a DUI conviction. Depending on your prior criminal record, the penalties for drunk driving may include a fine, license suspension, and possible jail sentence. For a first offense, for example, the court may impose a minimum $700 fine, 120-day license suspension, and 48-hour jail sentence. A second conviction, meanwhile, will carry a minimum $800 fine, two-year license suspension, and 240-hour jail sentence.

The good news is that being arrested for DUI does not mean that you will be convicted of the charges in court. In fact, many drivers are able to get their charges reduced or dismissed entirely. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area, submit your information online today and find out how you can improve your chances of obtaining a successful outcome to your case.