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2014 Delaware Code
Title 21 - Motor Vehicles
CHAPTER 41. RULES OF THE ROAD
Subchapter IX Reckless Driving; Driving While Intoxicated
§ 4177J. Drinking while driving prohibited

Universal Citation:
2 DE Code § 4177J (2014 through 146th Gen Ass)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

(a) No person shall consume an alcoholic beverage while driving a motor vehicle upon the highways of this State. "Consume," as used in this subsection, shall mean the ingestion of a substance containing alcohol while in the act of operating a motor vehicle in the presence of, or in the view of, a police officer.

(b) Whoever violates this section shall be fined for the first offense not less than $25 nor more than $200. For each subsequent like offense occurring within 1 year of the previous offense, the person shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $400.

66 Del. Laws, c. 366, § 1.;

(a) Except as provided by § 1012 of Title 10, any person who pleads guilty to or is convicted of, including a guilty plea or conviction pursuant to § 4767 of Title 16, a violation of §§ 4752-4764 of Title 16, or any drug offense under Chapter 5 of Title 11 or under any law of the United States, any state of the United States or any local jurisdiction or the District of Columbia, or who is adjudicated delinquent as a result of acts which would constitute such offenses if committed by an adult, shall, in addition to any and all other penalties provided by law, have the person's driver's license and/or driving privileges revoked by the Secretary for a period of 6 months from the date of sentencing.

(b) In cases where this section is applied, the Court shall immediately take possession of any Delaware issued driver's license and forthwith forward it to the Secretary, together with notification that revocation pursuant to this section has been implemented.

(c) When a driver's license is revoked pursuant to this section, any such individual not in violation of probational requirements regarding substance abuse treatment shall be permitted to apply for a conditional license for the limited purpose of employment, to attend treatment appointments and to meet with their probation officer.

(d) [Transferred to paragraph (c) of this section].

(e) [Repealed].

67 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 429, §§ 6-8; 69 Del. Laws, c. 125, §§ 3, 4; 69 Del. Laws, c. 190, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 408, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 414, § 2; 74 Del. Laws, c. 273, § 2; 76 Del. Laws, c. 94, §§ 1, 2; 78 Del. Laws, c. 13, § 70.;

(a) Whoever, being under the age of 21 years, drives, operates or has actual physical control of a vehicle, an off-highway vehicle or a moped while consuming or after having consumed alcoholic liquor shall have that person's driver's license and/or privileges revoked for a period of 2 months for the first offense and not less than 6 months nor more than 12 months for each subsequent offense. If the underage person does not have a driver's license and/or privileges, the person shall be fined $200 for the first offense and not less than $400 nor more than $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

(b) In any proceeding under this section, evidence may be admitted of the amount of alcohol in the blood or breath of such underage person as determined by a specimen taken within 4 hours of the time when such person is alleged to have driven, operated or been in control of a vehicle after having consumed alcoholic liquor as shown by an analysis of that person's breath, blood, urine, or saliva. Evidence that there was at the time of the test an alcohol concentration of .02 or more in that person's blood or breath is per se evidence that the person had consumed alcoholic liquor. "Alcohol concentration of .02 or more in that person's blood or breath" shall mean (1) an amount of alcohol in a sample of a person's blood equivalent to .02 or more grams of alcohol per hundred milliliters of blood; or (2) an amount of alcohol in a sample of a person's breath equivalent to .02 or more grams per 210 liters of breath. This provision shall not preclude a conviction based upon other admissible evidence.

(c) In addition to any other powers of arrest, any police officer is hereby authorized to arrest without a warrant any person who the officer has probable cause to believe has violated the provisions of this section, regardless of whether the alleged violation was committed in the presence of such officer.

(d) In addition to any penalty for a violation of subsection (a) of this section, the court shall order the person to complete a drug and alcohol evaluation and to complete a program of education or rehabilitation pursuant to § 4177D of this title.

70 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 450, § 1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 167, § 29.;

(a) No person shall drive, operate, or have actual physical control of a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .04 or more in that person's blood or breath or having used a controlled substance or any drug which impairs driving ability. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor, and shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 26 of this title. Prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under any other section of the Code. "Alcohol concentration of .04 or more" shall mean:

(1) An amount of alcohol in a sample of a person's blood equivalent to .04 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or,

(2) An amount of alcohol in a sample of a person's breath equivalent to .04 or more grams per 210 liters of breath.

(b) In addition to any penalty for a violation of subsection (a) of this section, the court shall order the person to complete a drug and alcohol evaluation and to complete a program of education or rehabilitation pursuant to § 4177D of this title.

70 Del. Laws, c. 134, § 5; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 60, § 15; 78 Del. Laws, c. 167, § 30.;

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