The laws are changing on August first of this year when it comes to those who are caught driving while intoxicated, otherwise known as a DWI. These new laws are being named after little Alan, a boy who was killed by an offender who had been drinking while driving a snowmobile.
This offender was unable to drive a vehicle due to multiple DWI offenses, yet he was able to ride his snowmobile. One ride, while intoxicated, ended in catastrophe. A little boy was hurt and killed because a drunk driver jumped on his snowmobile to take a joyride.
Because of this accident (that shouldn’t have ever happened), the law has been changed. Anyone who is convicted of a DWI (no matter what they were driving) is not allowed to drive or operate any snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), boats, and other motor vehicles.This applies to anyone accused and convicted after August first of this year.
The length of time that someone loses their regular driver’s license depends on how many prior arrests that they have had. First-time offenders will only lose them for a short period, while those who have been convicted before could lose them for a considerable amount of time, including a year or more.
When you do lose your privileges to drive snowmobiles, ATV’s, boats, and other recreational vehicles, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Commissioner of Public Safety. You will not be allowed to drive your snowmobiles and ATV’s for one whole year. You will lose the ability to drive your boat for ninety days. This only applies from May first until October thirty-first so if your ninety days is not over, you will lose them again the following May.
If you refuse to get tested when you are arrested, you will lose your privileges for an entire year. This is done so that more people will allow themselves to be tested when they are arrested. No matter what you are driving, you will lose privileges for all recreational vehicles, plus your regular vehicle.
There is another part of the new law. The punishments for a DWI while driving a boat, snowmobile, or even an ATV have gotten harsher. Your regular driver’s license could be affected.
The first time that you get caught driving a boat, snowmobile, or ATV while intoxicated, you will lose your regular driver’s license for a week, along with your privileges. If your blood alcohol level is high (above .16), you could also lose your license plates for your vehicle. It can be quite costly to get your plates back afterward.
The new law also means that you will lose your privileges to drive anything (boat, snowmobile, or ATV), no matter what you were caught driving while intoxicated. You used to be able to continue to drive a snowmobile if you were convicted of a DWI on a boat!
DWI for people underage also include boats, snowmobiles, and ATV’s. Anyone who is under twenty-one can’t operate any of these recreational vehicles with even a drop of alcohol in their system. They will also lose privileges for their regular license and the ability to drive recreational vehicles, no matter what they were driving when they were caught intoxicated!
So, what does this mean? No matter what you are driving when you are intoxicated, you are going to lose your regular driver’s license and your ability to drive your boat, snowmobile, and ATV. Because of this, you need to have a good lawyer on your side. One mistake shouldn’t change your whole life and a good lawyer will fight for you!
Contact us for all of your legal needs.