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About every 20 minutes in Texas,
someone is hurt or killed in a crash involving alcohol. We urge you to take
responsibility for your actions. Don't drink and drive.
How Much is too Much?
Impairment begins with the first drink. Your gender, body weight, the number
of drinks you’ve consumed and the amount of food you’ve eaten affect your body’s
ability to handle alcohol. Two or three beers in an hour can make some people
legally intoxicated. Women, younger people and smaller people generally become impaired
with less alcohol.
The Law on DWI
In Texas, a person is legally intoxicated and may be arrested and charged with DWI with a .08 BAC (blood or breath alcohol concentration). However, a person is
also intoxicated if impaired due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC.
Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you can be fined up to $500 for
having an open alcohol container in a vehicle. DWI with a Child Passenger
You can be charged with child endangerment for driving while intoxicated if
you’re carrying passengers younger than 15 years old. DWI with a child passenger
is punishable by:
- a fine of up to $10,000,
- up to two years in a state jail, and
- loss of your driver license for 180 days.
What Happens if You’re Stopped
If you’re stopped, be ready to show your driver license, proof of insurance
and vehicle registration. If you refuse to take a
blood or breath test, your
driver license will be automatically suspended for 180 days.
Punishment for DWI varies depending on the number of convictions:
First Offense
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Three days to 180 days in jail
- Loss of driver license up to a year
- Annual fee of $1,000 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver license
Second Offense*
- A fine of up to $4,000
- One month to a year in jail
- Loss of driver license up to two years
- Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver
license
Third Offense*
- A $10,000 fine
- Two to 10 years in prison
- Loss of driver license up to two years
- Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 for three years to retain driver
license
*After two or more DWI convictions in five years, you must install a special
ignition switch that prevents your vehicle from being operated if you’ve been
drinking.
How to Stay Safe
- Don't drink and drive.
- Designate a driver.
- Call a cab.
- Spend the night where you are, if possible.
Who’s driving tonight? If you’ve been drinking, it’s not you. |
