GOSHEN COUNTY – Law enforcement all across Wyoming is reminding the community to drive sober, again this holiday season. 

Funding from Wyoming Department of Transportation (WyDot) Impaired Driving grants have made it possible for many departments throughout the state to increase patrol. 

According to the Torrington Police Department, additional officers will be working overtime hours to implement an enhance enforcement campaign for driving while under the influence over the holidays. The extra enforcement operation will be in affect over multiple shifts with the primary target of intoxication. 

“Too many lives continue to be lost in this country, and in our state, as a result of individuals who choose to get behind the wheel of their vehicles while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The risk to the safety of every citizen and visitor to Wyoming is real,” Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said. “Identifying and implementing strategies that will effectively reduce the number of impaired drivers in our state requires a dedicated and focused effort.”

According to Gordon’s council on impaired driving (WYGCID), every state has made it illegal to dive while impaired by alcohol or drugs however the laws look differently in each state. 

In Wyoming, according to Gordon, there are three ways to receive a DUI conviction. 

“The first is probably the most well-known: when, following a DUI arrest, an officer finds that your blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or higher. Typically, a person’s BAC is measured using a breath test, but it could also be measured with a blood or urine sample,” WYGCID explained. “You could also be convicted if you’re arrested on suspicion of a DUI and, within two hours of driving, a BAC test shows .08% or higher.”

“The last way doesn’t necessarily involve testing your BAC. If you’re mentally or physically unsafe to drive because of alcohol and/or drug impairment, you can get a DUI. Even if your BAC is below .08%, if it’s clear that you’re too impaired to drive safely, you could be convicted,” WYGCID noted.

Prior to 2011, if a person refused to have their BAC tested, their driver’s licenses was suspended however with the change on the law, not cooperating following a DUI arrest can cause more problems. 

“Now, if you choose not to cooperate following a DUI arrest, a law enforcement officer can request a search warrant, allowing for a physical test of your BAC,” WYGCID added.

According to the council, if an officer believes a driver may be impaired, the officer may conduct a field sobriety test, which helps officers determine how impaired the driver may be both physically and mentally. Some examples might be following a pen with your eyes, walking a straight line or standing on one foot.

“Your first DUI conviction has maximum penalties of six months in jail and a $750 fine. If you have more DUIs within 10 years, the penalties quickly increase, including mandatory jail time. For example, a fourth DUI in 10 years is a felony, which comes with up to seven years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine,” WYGCID explained. 

Any first conviction DUI with a BAC of .15 or greater is required to have an ignition interlock for six months, pursuant to Wyoming State Statute.

“For a second conviction (regardless of the BAC) they are required to have an ignition interlock for one year, a third conviction (regardless of BAC) for two years, and a fourth or subsequent conviction (regardless of BAC) for life with the ability to apply to the court for removal of the requirement every five years thereafter,” WYGCID explained “The BAC of .15 or greater only applies to those first DUI convictions since any subsequent conviction is a required ignition interlock regardless of the BAC.” 

Impaired drivers also risk a suspension of his/her driver’s license. 

“It starts at 90 days after the first DUI and increases to a year if you have a second within 10 years. If the second DUI is within two years of the first, your vehicle registration will also be suspended until you get your license back,” the governor’s council explained. 

For anyone under 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .02% or higher, the council explained.

“It starts at 90 days after the first DUI and increases to a year if you have a second within 10 years. If the second DUI is within two years of the first, your vehicle registration will also be suspended until you get your license back,” WYGCID said.

Impaired drivers with child passengers are subject to extra penalties, including up to a year in jail for the first offense and up to five years in jail after the second offense. 

“These extra penalties only apply if the driver is 18 or older,” the council said. 

“It probably comes as no surprise that if you seriously hurt someone because of a DUI, there’ll be extra consequences coming your way. Specifically, a minimum fine of $2,000 and up to 10 years in prison. That increases to up to 20 years if it happens a second time,” WYGCID explained. 

According to the council, an average drunk driver drove drunk 80 times before their arrest and more than 50 people in Wyoming die every year from alcohol involved crashes. 

“We hope you are as excited as we are to enjoy gatherings with friends and family this holiday season. Unfortunately, drugs or alcohol can turn the joy of Christmas into a time of tragedy or loss,” Torrington Police Department said. “Please remember to celebrate responsibly at holiday events and keep everyone safe by planning ahead for safe and sober transportation. We will have additional officers conducting focused patrol for DUI throughout the holiday season.”