| Drinking and driving is risky business and it can | | | | classifications are tolerated. Melanie's Law, signed |
| have dire consequences. Not only does driving | | | | into law in 2005 enhanced the punishment and |
| under the influence increase the likelihood of | | | | administrative sanctions for Massachusetts OUI |
| traffic accidents, serious injuries and even death, | | | | offenders. |
| at minimum it can cause a driver to pay hefty | | | | A person convicted for their first DUI offense |
| fines, lose their driver's license or even serve jail | | | | faces a two-and-a-half year jail sentence, $5,000 |
| time. | | | | in fines and the loss of driving privileges for one |
| Massachusetts has tough "zero tolerance" drunk | | | | full year. A second offense can lead to driver's |
| driving laws. There are three designations for | | | | license revocation for two years. The required |
| drivers who have been drinking: drunk driving, or | | | | use of an Ignition Interlock Device may also be |
| Operating Under the Influence of Liquor (OUI), | | | | mandated. This is an apparatus installed in a |
| Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or Driving Under | | | | vehicle that will not allow the car to start unless |
| the Influence (DUI). None of the three | | | | the operator passes a breathalyzer test. |