After a host of DUI accidents and issues, our nation’s capital has chosen to toughen up its stance on drunk driving by restoring the mandatory breath tests and heightening punishments. According to the Washington Post, the state suspended breathalyzer testing back in February 2011. Instead, they relied on urine testing, which were used in conjunction with field sobriety tests when the suspects complied. The problem is that these urine tests cost about $75, while breath tests only cost about $10. Added expenses discouraged the police department from cracking down on drunk drivers because of the expenses that they brought on.

The D.C. police reduced testing to about 123 drivers per month. They originally reduced the tests because of inaccuracy issues with breath tests. In 2010, D.C. changed the model of breath analyzers used after over 400 people were convicted of drunk driving based on erroneous results. The falsely convicted men and women were apologized to, but it doesn’t change the fact that they were unjustly accused. Some had to spend time in jail that they will never get back because of their false breathalyzer readings. 50 drunk-driving cases were dismissed after the faulty breathalyzers were discovered. Only a few of the cases were brought back into court when open container laws or other issues served as proof of other offenses that were not connected to the false readings.

Since then, D.C. has focused on bettering its breathalyzer tests by obtaining reliable and helpful machines. Now that they have accomplished that task, D.C. will be bringing back the breathalyzers, which will facilitate more tests for suspected drivers without having to worry about the cost. The city is also going to be placing tougher penalties on the drunk drivers. All of this information is declared on the Comprehensive Impaired Driving Act of 2012. This act was invoked into action as an emergency legislation procedure and signed by the mayor in early July.

The Act declares that first-time drunk drivers will be issue tougher penalties and lengthens the mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders. First time offenders can bow spend up to 180 days in jails and be fined up to $1,000. The old first-time offense maximum was a mere 30 days in jail and a $300 fine. Those who show very high concentrations of alcohol in their blood when tested are now subject to harsher sentences when tested in what is termed an “extreme DUI.” Usually, an “extreme DUI” is double or triple the legal limit, and puts the driver at an even higher risk of crashing into other innocent drivers out on the road. In D.C., those who have a BAC of 0.20 or higher now have a minimum 10 day jail sentence to serve. Those who have a BAC of 0.30 or higher will have to deal with a minimum 20 days in jail.

The act also covers concerns regarding commercial drivers who operate taxi cabs and limousines. In addition to cracking down on the use of alcohol when driving, D.C. will be adding further help to police officers to make sure that they issue the tests fairly. All police officers will be given the proper education as to how to operate a breathalyzer and issued a certification. This will help to eliminate the argument that a test was not issued correctly or merited a false result. The President of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program declared that these are necessary steps towards eliminating the amount of drunk drivers in the city. If you have been charged with a DUI in Washington D.C. recently, it’s important that you have a DUI lawyer there to come to your aid. Talk to someone today for more information!