Blog #10

The laws against drinking and driving in Maryland are too strict. Drivers should be given a second chance before they face the many consequences associated with drinking and driving. It should not be until the second time a person is caught drinking and driving that they face serious consequences, because then they have established a pattern of drinking and driving. Many people who are caught drinking and driving have legitimate excuses for doing so and it may be their first time ever driving after drinking. Also, in a lot of situations the driver really has only had two or three drinks and is still capable of operating a vehicle. According to DrivingLaws.org, in Maryland the law states that if a person has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or above then it is illegal for them to operate a vehicle. Maryland also has a zero tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. If a driver under the age of 21 is found to have a .02 percent BAC or above their license could be suspended or revoked. It is very hard for drivers to know how many drinks it will take them to reach the .08 BAC limit. Physical characteristics that are unique to every driver, such as weight, sex, the number of drinks consumed over a given time, if the person has eaten, all play into the BAC formula (“Maryland”). Therefore, every person’s limit is different. The first Driving Under the Influence (DUI) infraction can hold up to one year of jail time, two years if you are transporting a minor. Your licence may be suspended for at least six months and you can be charged a fine of $1000 to $2000 (“Maryland”). All of these consequences could just be for having a drink or two at dinner.

"Maryland Drunk Driving Fines and Penalties." DUI Laws. Drunk Driving. Teen Laws. Cell Phone Law. Lawyers. | Drivinglaws.org. ExpertHub.com, 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://dui.drivinglaws.org/maryland.php>.