subject: Avoid Drunk Driving and a Michigan Car Accident with Advice from The Sam Bernstein Law Firm [print this page] Avoid Drunk Driving and a Michigan Car Accident with Advice from The Sam Bernstein Law Firm
Each year, Michigan car accidents lead to thousands of deaths and serious injuries due to intoxicated drivers. Michigan law prohibits driving with a 0.08 body alcohol content or higher. If an individual does drink and drive, our state laws provide the following tough penalties:
Require a mandatory six-month driver's license suspension, even for a first conviction. Drivers may be eligible to receive a restricted license after serving 30 days of the suspension.
Require five days to one year of jail time, 30 to 90 days of community service or both for a second conviction of drunk driving.
Include a felony for a conviction for drunk driving that causes death or a serious injury to another.
Require fines for a conviction of driving while a driver's license is suspended or revoked of up to $500 for a first offense, and $1,000 for an additional offense.
Require a $125 reinstatement fee if your driver's license was suspended, revoked or restricted.
Require a Driver Responsibility Fee of $1,000 for two consecutive years for driving while intoxicated, and a $500 fee for two consecutive years for driving while impaired, with the presence of a Schedule 1 drug or cocaine under the Zero Tolerance law, or for child endangerment.
To help you avoid the consequences of driving drunk and to decrease your chances of causing a Michigan car accident, the Michigan Secretary of State offers these guidelines:
If you have been drinking or using drugs, ask someone for a ride, call a taxi, use public transportation or seek other assistance.
If someone you know has been drinking or using drugs, do not let him or her drive. Find a designated driver, call a taxi or insist that the person use public transportation.
If necessary, take away a person's car keys and offer him or her a place to sleep. Be sure drivers are sober before they get behind the wheel.
Never ride with anyone who has been drinking or using drugs.
If you or someone you love was hurt in an auto accident, talk with an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer to protect your legal rights.
