North Dakota DUI Laws

According to North Dakota DUI laws, drinking and driving is always ill advised. It’s also illegal, and North Dakota has its own laws and penalties regarding the offense. In general, drivers can expect an array of undesired consequences if they choose to drive under the influence. North Dakota, like most states, has a legal drinking age of 21. However, no matter the how old a driver is, DUIs in North Dakota carry stiff punishments. One of them being that it will increase your auto insurance! Luckily, we offer a great comparison tool that can help you find affordable car insurance after a DUI!

What is a North Dakota DUI?

DUI is a commonly used abbreviation for driving under the influence. It refers to a person operating a motor vehicle, while under the influence of a mind altering substance. Breaking a DUI law is usually for alcohol, but can also include drugs, both illicit and prescription, or inhalants. Driving is a serious task that requires concentration and a clear head. Anything that affects a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle can lead to a DUI arrest.

Effects of Alcohol and Substances

The following are a couple of effects that can occur with alcohol and substances:

1. Reaction time is slowed.
2. Concentration is impaired.
3. Judgement is dulled.
4. Vision may be reduced or impaired.
5. Instills a false sense of confidence.

Why are North Dakota DUI laws needed?

In general, alcohol and other impairing substances reduce a person’s ability to drive a vehicle in several ways.When drivers are suffering from any of these impairments, they are not only endangering themselves, but passengers and other drivers as well. Alcohol related crashes can result in loss of life, catastrophic injuries, and property damage. All of these things are terrible in and of themselves, but they also mean extra costs for taxpayers. This is why DUI laws exist, to protect citizens from the ill effects of impaired driving. Impaired driving will not only effect your life and other people’s lives, but it can also keep you from getting the right amount of full coverage car insurance!

North Dakota DUI Laws

The following are some North Dakota DUI laws that are enforced by the state. People should follow these rules, in order to keep their North Dakota insurance low!

• Legal Limit for BAC (Blood Alcohol Content): 0.08%
• Zero Tolerance BAC Limit (applies to drivers under the legal drinking age of 21): 0.02%
• Aggravated BAC for enhanced penalties: 0.18%
• In North Dakota, consent to a BAC test is implied.
• North Dakota also has a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.

North Dakota DUI Penalties

First Offense:

1. 90-180 days suspension of driver’s license (work permit possible after 30 days)
2. $250.00 minimum fine
3. Auto insurance rate increase
4. Mandatory referral to a facility for alcohol evaluation

Second Offense:

1. 1-2 years suspension of driver’s license, with no work permit
2. $500.00 minimum fine
3. 5 days in jail or 30 days of community service
4. Mandatory referral to a facility for alcohol evaluation

Third Offense:

1. 2-3 years suspension of driver’s license
2. $1000.00 minimum fine
3. 60 days in jail
4. Mandatory referral to a facility for alcohol evaluation

Fourth Offense:

• 2-3 year suspension of driver’s license
• 180 days in jail

Fifth Offense:

• A fifth DUI offense in North Dakota is considered a Class C felony
• $5000.00 maximum fine
• Maximum sentence of 5 years in jail

How DUI Affects Auto Insurance Coverage and Rates

• Drivers who receive even one DUI can expect their auto insurance rates to increase.
• The conviction will often affect rates for a period of 3-5 years after it happens.
• Rates may double, triple, or quadruple, depending on the car insurance company‘s policies.
• It is possible that the insurance company may drop the driver on the occurrence of the first DUI conviction.
• Finding coverage after being dropped by one insurance company may prove very difficult.

North Dakota DUI Statistics

Below are some of the North Dakota DUI accident statistics. There are also some great car insurance accident statistics that people should take a look at. In order to save the most money, everyone should know their local car insurance laws!

• Crashes occuring in the North Dakota cost the state over $300 million in expenses each year
• The average societal cost of acohol related crashes in the state is 80 cents per drink consumed
• Every injured person who survives an alochol related crash costs the state about $67,000, including health care and loss of productivity
• Alcohol related crashes are responsible for about 14% of all North Dakota insurance payments

Final North Dakota Thoughts

North Dakota, like all states, would benefit greatly from a reduction in DUI arrests and convictions. The only way to achieve this is if drivers stop operating motor vehicles when they are not equipped to do so. A reduction of only 10% of alcohol related crashes in North Dakota would save the state around $7 million. It would also save countless hours of lost productivity, low car insurance premiums for state residents, and keep the roads safer for drivers. Operating a motor vehicle is not to be taken lightly , and drivers would be wise to refrain from driving under the influence, both for their own safety, and the safety of others. Compare state car insurance and save with our ZIP code comparison tool!