New Rules For PA Work License with DUI

It looks like the Pennsylvania State Government is working to make the PA Work License or Occupational Limited License more available, but with tighter restrictions, to 1st and 2nd time DUI violations. Under the new regulations the fee for a work license application will go up from $50 to $100 which seems more than reasonable considering how much work the employees at PennDOT must do for each application. This fee is not refundable, and experience has shown that finding out if you are eligible for the license is a bit on the tricky side. I talk to dozens of people every week who tell me they can't get a straight answer if they qualify for the Occupational License, and I have to set most straight on reasons they may be disqualified or on how we can get them qualified or the work license.

The proposed new regulations would also require a first time DUI violation to get the limited license after serving a set time of suspension and would require the instillation and maintenance of the Ignition Interlock system. The ignition interlock system is a system to prevent the starting and operation of a vehicle by anyone who can not pass a breath test. The system measures blood alcohol levels through a breathalyzer and prevent the start of the vehicle. The interlock system also requires re-test during the extended operation of the vehicle, and will provide a shutdown if the test is ignored or failed. This is a basic prevention measure and is a good first step toward recovery, and not a horrible choice to allow violators a break without being too much of an obstruction.

You can find the full text of the proposed regulations and changes to the Occupational Limited License Law below. Please share your thoughts about requiring the interlock system for first and second time DUI offenders. Is it too much of a restriction or should more be done to prevent violators from driving?

PA Work License - Occupational License - Bread & Butter License new DUI rules

Drunk Driver Crackdown Will Lead to Increased DUI's

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110816_Drunk_driver_crackdown_starts_Friday.html


"Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over"
"Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest"
"Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving"
Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk

Just some of the slogans your going to see running on TV, radio, and billboards over the next few months. There is a big push for driver safety and sober driving as the area rolls out it's new ad campaign. These ads will be backed up by larger police presence and DUI checkpoints all over the region.

DUI enforcement schedule

Provided by NHTSA

PennDOT survey got me thinking about DUI penalties.

PennDOT would like you help in completing a survey on driving safety and responsibility. There are a series of questions about driving habits and some general demographic questions. Completing this survey will help PennDOT decide where to concentrate improvement and enforcement in the future.

Driving Survey

I took the survey and it took me less than 5 minutes. There are some tricky questions that do not have clear answers, but I don't think it was meant to be an exact representation. I also skipped the motorcycle portion of the survey as I do not drive a motorcycle.

From the questions I can see where PennDOT is going. They are looking to see if their marketing efforts are having an impact on perceived driver safety and I believe they want to find out where the general public views issues. PennDOT is also asking about what laws you may be interested in regarding DUI with ignition interlock for a first offence, and making seat belt violations a primary offence. Both of these will make maintaining your rivers license more difficult, but may result in safer roadways.

I personally agree that adding a requirement for first time DUI offenders must have the ignition interlock system installed, but only if there is less license suspension time required as a result. This requirement will improve safety and restrict the second time offenders, at the same time allow for a previously licensed driver to continue to work and earn to pay for the fines and costs associated to DUI. The inclusion of an ignition interlock requirement will also teach a driver how quickly you can be impaired by alcohol by showing them their BAC at the same time preventing them from driving drunk.

I do not like violations that cause the double penalty of heavy fines and license suspension for a single mistake. A Pennsylvania resident should never have to be homeless because of penalties of a single mistake, but requiring heavy fines as well as an expensive breathalyzer in addition to a license suspension is a burden that very few can bear at one time. This situation can result in a resident having to pay much more than what they can afford, and not being able to maintain employment or education, causing even more problems with money. This downward spiral can continue with no easy way out, and this is what I would seek to prevent.

PA decides to suspend a driver's license because he drank too much

Pennsylvania courts have decided that you can be suspended based on the amount of alcohol you consume. The ruling does not give limits, but leave the rate vs time factor a fuzzy area.

Now we're not talking about drinking then driving, but just drinking too much as you sit at home and watch TV. This man had a prior DUI in his past, but drank too much for his doctor and PennDOT. So when his doctor notified PennDOT (as he is legally required to do) the state agency suspended his license.