by Gregory Downs

Created on: November 07, 2011   Last Updated: November 09, 2011

South Carolina’s DUI Laws are harsh no matter how they are perceived, but their intent is for the safety off all on the road whether they be motorist or pedestrian. They are also intended to halt any further infractions should it happen once. Should South Carolina’s DUI Laws be violated once, the harshness of the penalties is intended so that hopefully there are no repeat offenders.

If a driver is stopped while driving in the state of South Carolina with a blood alcohol level of .08, that driver is breaking the law and punishment will immediately commence, beginning with arrest.

Penalties for the first DUI conviction in the state of South Carolina appear to be the most flexible. No matter the circumstances or the blood alcohol level, the first DUI conviction carries with it a mandatory revocation of driver’s license for six months. After that, the penalties basically depend on the blood alcohol level.

According to South Carolina’s DUI Laws, if the driver’s blood alcohol level is above .08 but blow .10, along with the license suspension will be a fine of $400, jail time of 48 hours to 30 days or 48 hours of community service.

A blood alcohol level of between .10 to below .16 demands a slightly stiffer penalty. Along with the license suspension, there will be a fine of $500, jail time of 72 hours – 30 days or 72 hours of community service.

A blood alcohol level of above .16 is stiffer yet, with the license suspension remaining at 6 months, the fine is $1,000, between 30 – 90 days in jail or 30 days of community service.

A second DUI conviction carries with it a license suspension of 1 year, and a third conviction a license suspension of 2 years.

Because of the growing use of Ignition Interlock Devices the vehicle is not always confiscated from the repeat DUI offender, but will most likely happen on the third time convicted of a DUI.

Though it is illegal in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, to drive a vehicle while having a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher, South Carolina has a zero – tolerance for underage blood alcohol levels while driving, thus making it a crime for any driver under the age of 21 to have any alcohol to drink then drive a vehicle. All it takes is a blood alcohol level of .02 for the minor driver to be charged with underage drinking and driving for the driver to lose his/her license for at least 3 months.

South Carolina’s stringent DUI laws are intended to save lives and deter those who have been drinking from getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, making it necessary to plan ahead before drinking.

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