| *TRAFFIC TECH* |
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|                | Technology Transfer SeriesNumber 102, August 1995 |

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## 13th   EDITION OF THE DIGEST OF STATE ALCOHOLHIGHWAY   SAFETY RELATED LEGISLATION PUBLISHED

The National Highway   Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has prepared the 13th edition of the *Digest   of State Alcohol-Highway Safety Related Legislation* as a reference   source about laws related to drunk driving and alcoholic beverage control. This   information is provided for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto   Rico, and U.S. territories. It is an extensive publication exceeding 500 pages. 

For each of the States, the *Digest*   describes the legal definitions of operating a motor vehicle in violation of   the drunk driving laws (that is, the legal bases for a drunk driving offense)   and enumerates the sanctions that may be imposed on those who violate these   laws. These sanctions may include imprisonment, treatment, fines, and the loss   of driving privileges. Offenders may also be required to perform community service   and compensate victims of their crime. 

Many states impose legal consequences   when a driver does not provide a sample of their breath, blood, or urine for   testing for alcohol or drug content when stopped for a drunk driving offense.   In most cases, refusing to comply with a law enforcement officer's request to   supply the required sample usually results in the loss of driving privileges.   A few States, however, apply criminal sanctions such as jail or a fine to a   person who fails to comply.  

The *Digest*   lists the sanctions by state for offenses often associated with drunk driving   -- Vehicle Homicide, Driving While License is Suspended or Revoked (for a drunk   driving offense), and Habitual Traffic Law offenders. 

It also contains information on   the sanctions associated with the sale of alcoholic beverages by licensed alcoholic   beverage distributors to inebriated individuals and to persons under the legal   drinking age. The minimum drinking age is 21 in all 50 States and the District   of Columbia. The sanctions for violating these laws typically consist of imprisonment,   fines, or the suspension of the license to sell alcoholic beverages.

The *Digest*   has three sections. The first section gives the reader information about the   organization and subjects, and defines terms and abbreviations. The second section,   Tables I and II, summarizes areas of high interest such as illegal blood alcohol   levels and mandatory sanctions for DWI offenses for each state. The third section,   individual jurisdiction analysis, lists detailed information about   each State's laws.  

For a copy or additional information   about the *Digest of State Alcohol-Highway   Safety Related Legislation*, 13th Edition, DOT HS 808 204, contact   the Office of Alcohol and State Programs, Legislative Resource Center, NHTSA,   NTS-21, Room 5130, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-2729   or send a fax to (202) 366-2766. 

Single copies of the *Digest*   are available from NHTSA while supplies last. Copies may also be obtained from   the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Technical Information Service, 5825   Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650.

 

How   to Report 

Auto   Safety Defects...

Call   the Auto Safety Hotline Today.

800-424-9393

  

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 U.S. Department   of TransportationNational   HighwayTraffic   SafetyAdministration400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33Washington, DC 20590

Traffic   Tech is a publication to disseminate information   about traffic safety programs, including   evaluations, innovative programs, and   new publications. Feel free to copy it as you wish.

If you would like to receive a   copy contact: 

Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., Editor,     Evaluation Staff Traffic   Safety Programs(202) 366-2759