Michigan Is the 9th Most Lenient State on DUI

Every year drunk drivers lay down a huge toll on society, with more than 1 million arrests, nearly 10,000 deaths and over $40 billion in economic damage.

WalletHub mined some data and came up with  2016’s Strictest & Most Lenient States on DUI. And Michigan did not come out looking good, as we were the ninth most lenient state.

To deomnstrate the financial downsides of driving drunk, WalletHub analyzed the enforcement rules in each of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia across 15 key metrics, ranging from fines and minimum jail sentences to ignition- interlock -device requirements that drastically reduce repeat arrests of previously convicted drunk drivers.

Overall, Arizona was the toughest state on drunk drivers, while South Dakota was the most lenient.

DUI Penalty in Michigan (1=Strictest; 25=Avg.):

• 13^th – Minimum Jail Time (1st offense)
• 15^th – Minimum Jail Time (2nd offense)
• 19^th – How Long Old DUI Factors into Penalties
• 21^st – Administrative License Suspension
• 16^th – Minimum Fine (1st offense)
• 18^th – Minimum Fine (2nd offense)
• 24^th – Average Insurance Rate Increase After DUI

As a reminder of how dangerous drinking and driving can be, here's Dash Cam footage of police subduing a Michigan drunk driver.