13th EDITION OF THE DIGEST OF STATE ALCOHOL
HIGHWAY 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.

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 U.S. Department of Transportation
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400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33
Washington, 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