Drivers in Georgia should think more than just twice before hitting the road after a couple of drinks.
Georgia ranks No. 2 in the nation for strictest DUI laws, according to a recent study by the personal finance website WalletHub.com.
The study used a point system and looked at 15 key metrics for criminal penalties and preventative measures to determine the strictest and most lenient states for DUI offenses. It did not look at judges’ discretion to reduce or suspend a sentence, which would reflect unreliable subjectivity.
In all 50 states, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is 0.08. According to the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles’ website, penalties for first-time offenders include a minimum of 10 days in jail, a $300 to $1,000 fine, license suspension for up to a year and 40 hours of community service. Judges can waive the minimum sentence at their discretion, but it is not clear how often that happens.
“We’re pleased to hear that we are the second most strict state in the country as far as DUI laws go,” said Chad Payne, spokesman for the Dade County, Ga., Sheriff’s Office.