DUI Gets Tougher

(effective July 1, 2007)

RCW 46.61.502
Driving under the influence. (Effective July 1, 2007.)
(6) It is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9.94A RCW, or chapter 13.40 RCW if the person is a juvenile, if: (a) The person has four or more prior offenses within ten years as defined in RCW 46.61.5055; or (b) the person has ever previously been convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), or vehicular assault while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.522(1)(b).

RCW 46.61.504
Physical control of vehicle under the influence. (Effective July 1, 2007.)
(6) It is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9.94A RCW, or chapter 13.40 RCW if the person is a juvenile, if: (a) The person has four or more prior offenses within ten years as defined in RCW 46.61.5055; or (b) the person has ever previously been convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), or vehicular assault while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.522(1)(b).

Officers visual cues for potential DUI's

• Headlights off
• Accelerating or decelerating rapidly
• Turning abruptly or illegally
• Stopping inappropriately (other than in the lane of travel)
• A slow response to traffic signals
• Driving into or crossing traffic
• Erratic application of the brakes
• Driving with tires on center or lane marker
• Drifting
• Following too closely
• Stopping without cause in the lane of traffic
• Driving slower than 10 miles per hour
• Swerving
• Driving on other than the designated highway
• Weaving
• Almost striking object of vehicle
• Appearing to be drunk (eye fixation, tightly gripping wheel, gesturing erratically, etc.)
• Straddling center or lane marker
• Turning with wide radius