Vermont House Bill H0123

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/25
• Refer: 1/29/25

Caption

An act relating to driving while ability impaired

Impact

The implementation of H0123 could have significant effects on state laws regarding drunk driving. By creating a civil violation for BAC levels below the traditional criminal threshold, the bill aims to alleviate the burden on the justice system by avoiding criminal charges for lesser offenses. This change may lead to more individuals apprehended for driving under the influence being processed through civil channels rather than criminal courts. Furthermore, it could encourage more responsible driving behavior, knowing that penalization will be less severe for BAC levels considered mildly impaired.

Summary

House Bill H0123 aims to introduce a new civil violation for the offense of 'driving while ability impaired'. This violation occurs when a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ranges from 0.06 to 0.079. It will impose a civil penalty up to $500, which reflects a shift from criminal to civil consequences for this level of impairment. Importantly, adjudications under this new violation will not result in a criminal record, thus reflecting an effort to reduce the long-term repercussions for individuals found in violation of this law.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding H0123 will likely include discussions on public safety and the potential normalization of impaired driving. Critics may argue that introducing a civil penalty could inadvertently downplay the seriousness of the offense, suggesting that driving with a BAC of 0.06 is not a serious risk factor for accidents. There may also be concerns about the effectiveness of financial penalties as deterrents, compared to the traditional criminal penalties that carry harsher consequences. Proponents, however, may argue that the bill provides a more reasonable approach for first-time offenders, reducing the likelihood of severe legal ramifications while still addressing the issue of impaired driving.