New DUI laws in SC

South Carolina is getting tougher on drunk drivers. New laws went into effect this week. These new laws require larger fines, longer jail sentences and even the use of breathalyzers connected to the ignition of cars.

The law also created a 'tiered' system of punishments for people convicted of driving under the influence. The state's legal limit for intoxication is .08. The tiers take affect at levels .10 and .16. People above these limits will receive harsher penalties than others.

The new laws work like this:

First time offenders who are convicted can receive jail time up to 90 days at the court's discretion.

Drivers convicted of a second offense will lose their license for 1 year. Jail time is left to the discretion of the judge. The court can impose jail for a second offense from 5 days to one year. To get the license back after suspension the second time offender must pay for a breathalyzer and pay to have it installed in their car. The system also requires a $90 per month fee.

The breathalyzer will prevent the car from starting if the person blowing into it has a blood alcohol content of .02 or higher.

Third time offenders will be fined from $38,000 to $63,000. They can also receive jail time of 60 days to 3 years.

Those convicted of a fourth offense don't have many options. No fines but jail time from 1 to 4 years.

A lot of people don't think the breathalyzer works. Here's a statistic for you. Arizona began requiring the use of breathalyzers on ignitions of cars driven by first time offenders in 2005. DUI related deaths there have dropped 50%!! I'll take that kind of performance any day.

Let's face it. Myrtle Beach is widely regarded as a party town. But for those who don't know when to stop life is going to become very uncomfortable.