Law enforcement steps up DUI patrols through the holidays

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office along with other law enforcement agencies throughout the state are participating in Joining Forces through the remainder of December and into the first part of January 2016. The focus will be impaired drivers.

Grant funding for this event is provided by the Nevada Department of Public Safety-Office of Traffic Safety. These monies are used to pay overtime for additional deputies who will be out looking for drivers who are impaired.

Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of DUI, distracted driving, seat belt use, speeding and pedestrian safety. The goal of these enforcement campaigns is to save lives by increasing public awareness about the dangers of making poor choices while driving.

In efforts to achieve the “Zero Fatalities” goal, drivers and riders are encouraged to know the law for blood alcohol levels and to abide by the following guidelines:

— Designate a sober driver before drinking;
— Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation if impaired;
— Take advantage of local sober ride programs;
— Call 911 if a drunk driver is spotted on the road;
— Take the keys or assist in making other arrangements for someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired

According to Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, the Illegal Per Se Law simply means that driving with a BAC at or above the legally prescribed limit is an offense in and of itself. However, because the BAC limits are just a guide, you can also be arrested or cited for having a lower ― but still detectable ― amount of alcohol in your system.

The Open Container Law makes it illegal to drive a vehicle with opened alcoholic beverages anywhere in the car. It doesn't apply, however, to the living areas of a motor home or RV, or the passenger areas of buses, taxis, and limousines.

If you are driving under the influence with minors under the age of 15 in your car, that will be considered an "aggravating circumstance" and will undoubtedly result in harsher penalties.

If you are convicted of driving under the influence, you will be charged an extra $60 for the chemical tests, if any were done at the time of your arrest.

Getting a DUI comes with different types of consequences: administrative and criminal. The DMV will impose penalties on you and your license, administrative, and the courts may fine you and press criminal charges.
The DMV will suspend your license upon your arrest for DUI. To get your license back after both this suspension and the court-imposed suspension have elapsed, you will be required to do the following at the DMV:
— Pay all fines and fees.
— Retake the vision and written tests, and possibly also the skills test.

First conviction:
Driver license revoked for 90 days. After 45 days, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted license that will enable you to drive to work and back.
Jail sentence of at least 2 days and up to 6 months, or 96 hours of community service.
Fine of at least $400 and up to $1,000.
Mandatory attendance at DUI school; average cost is $150 for tuition.
Possible order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program.

Second conviction within seven years:
Driver license revoked for 1 year. You will not be eligible for a restricted license.
Jail sentence or home arrest of at least 10 days and up to six months.
Fine of at least $750 and up to $1,000.
One hundred to 200 hours of mandatory community service.
Possible car registration suspension.
Possible order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program or undergo clinical supervision for up to 1 year.

Third (or more) conviction within seven years:
Driver license revoked for 3 years; you may be eligible for a restricted license under certain circumstances.
Prison sentence of at least 1 year and up to 6 years.
Fine of at least $2,000 and up to $5,000.
Possible car registration suspension.
DUI causing death or serious injury (even on a first offense):
Driver license revoked for 3 years.
Prison sentence of at least 2 years and up to 20 years.
Fine of at least $2,000 and up to $5,000.

— Sgt. Scott McDaniel is with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and writes regular public safety columns. He can be reached at smcdaniel@carson.org.