A 3-minute lesson from the Arkansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
There is no safe alcohol level for driving. Even experienced drivers are affected, and new drivers even more. Drinking and driving brings the heaviest fines of any violation, higher insurance, license loss, ignition interlock devices and jail.
38%
Share of fatal traffic crashes that involve alcohol
Judgment is the first driving ability alcohol affects, and by the time you feel the alcohol your judgment is already severely affected. Alcohol also slows your reactions, blurs your vision and makes you less alert.
Two or more drinks may cause impairment and you could be arrested. When drinking socially, go with two or more people and choose a designated driver, or take public transportation or a cab.
If an officer tells you to take an alcohol test you're compelled by law to do it; the officer chooses the test (breath, urine or saliva). Refusing can cost you your driver's license.
First alcohol conviction: fine of $150 to $1,000 plus court costs, up to 1 year in jail, and license suspension for 120 days. Second and later offenses are much worse; you could go to prison.
Under 21: you can't buy or drink alcohol. An underage DUI conviction can revoke your license until you turn 21 and bring a $2,000 fine; buying or possessing alcohol means suspension, revocation or disqualification.
You had three beers over two hours at a party. Your body only clears about one drink per hour, and coffee won't speed that up. Hand your keys to the designated driver or call a cab.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What blood alcohol concentration (BAC) makes a driver 21 or older guilty of DWI in Arkansas?
0.05% or more
0.10% or more
0.02% or more
0.08% or more
Answer: 0.08% or more
A driver with a BAC of 0.08% or more, in breath or blood, is guilty of DWI in Arkansas.
