Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties in Michigan
All states have laws regarding drinking and driving. In Michigan, it is illegal for drivers over the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or above. This is according to Section 257.625 of the Michigan Vehicle Code 1.
Michigan also has a high-BAC law with enhanced penalties for anyone caught driving with a BAC of .17 or higher. However, drivers can be arrested at any BAC level if they exhibit signs of impairment while operating a motor vehicle 1.
If you are convicted of drunk driving with a BAC below .17 and it is your first offense, you may face up to $500 in fines, up to 93 days in jail, up to 360 hours of community service, and up to 180 days of license suspension. If your BAC is .17 or higher and it is your first offense, you may face up to $700 in fines, up to 180 days in jail, up to 360 hours of community service, and up to one year of license suspension 1.
Refusing to take a breath test for the first time will result in an automatic one-year driver’s license suspension. For a second refusal within seven years, the suspension is two years 1.
It is important to note that tens of thousands of people are arrested annually in Michigan for alcohol-related driving offenses. To avoid a drunk driving arrest and the costs associated with such an arrest, consider designating a sober driver before drinking alcohol or using alternative transportation options such as calling a friend or cab, using a ride service, walking or taking the bus 1.
