Kentucky Beware Drunk Driving During Labor Day

For many, Labor Day is a holiday filled with festivities as Summer comes to an end. However, as attorney Greg Bubalo at the Becker Law Office understands, it can also be a difficult weekend for drivers on the road. After a day of celebrating—and some drivers who have had too much to drink—the holiday weekend can be dangerous for drivers heading home.

Labor Day Weekend Drunk Driving Statistics

Percent of traffic fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving on Labor Day by year:

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Kentucky Drunk Driving Penalties

In 2020, drivers in Kentucky received 18,883 DUI arrests. With many national and statewide campaigns to back its message, the state of Kentucky decided to take its mission to make roads safe a step further.

In an interview given to radio station WHAS, attorney Greg Bubalo discusses a bill passed by the Kentucky Senate that adds penalties for those with drunk driving, or DUI, offenses. It requires an ignition interlock in the cars of those who have offenses associated with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. This device requires a person must blow into a breathalyzer to drive. If the breathalyzer detects any alcohol, the car will not operate.

Bubalo distinguishes that this device is designed for repeat offenders and anyone who had a conviction over 0.15 when the legal limit within Kentucky is below 0.08. In order for a person to be punished under this law, they must have a conviction for DUI or another operation offense involving alcohol.

First DUI Penalties in Kentucky:

• 48 hours to 30 days imprisonment in county jail
• $200 – $500 fine + mandatory $375 service fee
• Driver’s license revoked for 30 – 120 days
• Possible 48 hours – 30 days community labor program in lieu of a fine and/or imprisonment

Second DUI Penalties in Kentucky:

• 7 days – 6 months imprisonment in county jail
• $350 – $500 fine + mandatory $375 service fee
• Driver’s license revoked for 12 – 18 months
• Possible ignition interlock restricted driver’s license after 12 months for the remainder of the suspension period
• Only able to operate ignition interlock-restricted vehicles for a period of 6 months upon conclusion of the revocation period
  • Excludes employer vehicles
• Possible 10 days – 6 months of community labor in addition to fine and jail
• Alcohol abuse education or treatment program for a period of 1 year

Third DUI Penalties in Kentucky:

• 30 days – 12 months imprisonment in county jail
• Driver’s license revoked for 24 – 36 months
• $500 – $1,000 fine + mandatory $375 service fee
• Possible ignition interlock restricted driver’s license after 12 months for the remainder of the suspension period
• Only able to operate ignition interlock-restricted vehicles for 12 months upon conclusion of the revocation period
  • Excludes employer vehicles
• Possible 10 days – 6 months of community labor
• Alcohol abuse education or treatment program for a period of 1 year
  • Possibly inpatient residential program

Fourth or subsequent DUI Penalties in Kentucky:

• 120-day minimum imprisonment
• Fines determined by court + mandatory $375 service fee
• Driver’s license revoked for 60 months
• Possible ignition interlock restricted driver’s license after 30 months for the remainder of the suspension period
• Only able to operate ignition interlock-restricted vehicles for a period of 30 months upon conclusion of the revocation period
  • Excludes employer vehicles
• Alcohol abuse education or treatment program for a period of 1 year
  • Possibly inpatient residential program

Underaged DUI Penalties in Kentucky:

• $100 – $500 fine
  • in lieu of fine, possible 20 hours community service
• Driver’s license revoked for 30 days – 6 months
• Alcohol abuse education or treatment program for a 90-day period

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Community Involvement

In an additional effort to keep the roads safe, the Becker Law Office in partnership with The Kentucky Distillers’ Association funded Safe Drive Kentucky. This organization funds rides during times that are considered high traffic or high danger for drunk driving.

The Becker Law Firm donated $10 a ride with Lyft so that between 5:00 pm and 5:00 am of Labor Day weekend, everyone over the age of 21 who utilized the rideshare app could have an incentive to not drive under the influence of alcohol.

The attorneys at the Becker Law Firm understand the importance of client and community relationships. Our firm is proud to have partnered with Lyft and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association to do our part in making Labor Day Weekend a little safer for everyone on the road.

Contact an Attorney about Drunk Driving Accidents

While community involvement is a great step forward, there are still negligent drivers who consume substances that impair their ability to properly operate a vehicle. This reckless behavior can cause injuries, property damage, and even death.

If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol, it may be essential for you to seek legal counsel. Our attorneys at Becker Law Office could aid you in understanding your legal case and calculating what compensation you may be owed in a civil claim.