• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Guardian Interlock

Guardian Ignition Interlock

The Original Ignition Interlock System

  • Locations
  • Our Device
    • Ignition Interlock Program
    • Ignition Interlock Device Information
  • Support
    • FAQ
    • Training Videos
    • Contact Us
  • State Laws
  • About Us
    • Reviews
    • Become a Provider
    • Partners
      • DUI Attorneys
      • Recovery Counselors
      • Monitoring Authorities
      • Road Safety Resources
  • 800-499-0994

Will Utah’s New Legal Blood Limit Mean Different Penalties?

You are here: Home / Law / Will Utah’s New Legal Blood Limit Mean Different Penalties?
October 4, 2017 by Matt Talley
Utah legal blood limit

Utah legal blood limitThe state of Utah ignited a firestorm of controversy when they changed the legal blood limit from the US standard of .08 to .05. Although the .05 blood limit is staying put, the penalty system that goes along with it is up for debate.

The law was only recently approved and signed by Governor Gary Herbert, and it was passed based on recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board that all states lower their legal blood limit to .05. The new blood limit will take effect in December 2018, but according to the Governor, changes to the law may be coming before then.

He announced that the Utah State Legislature will create a tiered system of penalties for anyone arrested for drunk driving in Utah, and that the state will stick to a “Colorado model” of strict to progressively harsher penalties based on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest.

The Colorado model of penalties includes DWAI (driving while ability impaired), a chargeable offense at the .05 BAC level, and DUI (driving under the influence), chargeable after .08. The difference between DWAI and DUI in Colorado is how severe the penalties are: a first time DWAI charge will give you eight points toward a driver’s license suspension and up to $500 in fines, but with a DUI you’ll lose your license and receive up to $1,000 in fines.

The sponsors of the Utah bill aren’t exactly on board with the idea of tiered penalties. That’s because the bottom line for this change to the legal blood limit was to save lives, and changing the penalties may result in more drunk drivers on the roads. Opponents of the new legal blood limit aren’t overly supportive of the tiered penalty system either: they’d rather see the entire law repealed before it comes into play in 2018.

It looks as if this law is going to cause Utah some growing pains. But just as there are bumps in the road for all positive changes, this could be a rough patch before the state finally adjusts to .05.

Category: LawTag: Drunk Driving, Utah

About Matt Talley

Previous Post: « arrested for drunk driving california Should Bartenders Stop You From Getting Arrested For Drunk Driving?
Next Post: Are Loopholes To Blame For This Drunk Driving Crash? drunk driving crash »

24/7 Bilingual Customer Service

Call now on 800-499-0994 and we’ll help you get back on the road

Call Now
Guardian Interlock Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Call Toll-Free

800-499-0994

Partners

DUI Attorneys

Recovery Counselors

Monitoring Authorities

Need Help?

Support

FAQ

Contact Us

© Copyright 2022 Guardian Interlock, LLC

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use