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Alcohol and Drug Limits
- 1/13If you take any drug, whether legal or illegal, before driving
Many drugs can affect reaction time, coordination, vision, and decision-making skills, making it dangerous or illegal to operate a vehicle even if the drug is legally obtained.
When driving after taking medication
Some medications slow brain activity, delay reflexes, or blur vision, which can prevent you from responding quickly to road hazards.
If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving
Alcohol and many drugs distort perception and reaction time, making safe driving decisions much more difficult and increasing crash risk.
When there is an open container of alcohol, it will be
It is illegal to have any open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving, stopped, or parked. Violating this law may result in a fine of up to $50
When parked on a public highway with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle
You are still in violation of the open container law even if the vehicle is not in motion. The law applies to all passenger areas of vehicles on public roadways.
Drinking coffee after alcohol does not lower BAC or make you sober,
Drinking coffee does not speed up the body’s ability to process alcohol. Only time allows the body to eliminate alcohol and reduce impairment.
When you are a minor and attempt to purchase alcohol in West Virginia
You are in violation of West Virginia’ Zero Tolerance law. Attempting to purchase alcohol as a minor can lead to fines, license suspension, community service, and alcohol awareness programs.
If you furnish alcohol to a person under 21 years of age, you can be
It is illegal to give, sell, or provide alcohol to a minor. The penalty can be a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail.
If you are under 21 and found guilty of an alcohol-related offense
You may be required to complete alcohol education, perform community service, and have your license suspended for 30 to 180 days, depending on the offense and prior history.
If you are convicted of a first DWI offense in West Virginia. you can be
You may face a fine of up to $2,000, a jail sentence between 72 hours and 180 days, and a drivers license suspension lasting from 90 days to 1 year.
If you are convicted of a third or subsequent DWI offense in West Virginia, you will face
You face a felony charge, with penalties of up to $15,000 in fines, 1 to 10 years in prison (West Virginia Department of Criminal Justice), and a license suspension of 180 days to 2 years
If you commit any felony-level DWI offense in West Virginia, then you may face
You may be sentenced to time in the West Virginia Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) with a long-term license suspension and a permanent criminal record.
Maximum legal blood alcohol concentration while driving is
The legal limit ensures driver alertness. Exceeding 0.8% leads to penalties.