OUI Laws & Penalties
True or False: In Massachusetts, it is legal to have an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a moving vehicle
False – open containers of alcohol are against the law in a vehicle (illegal in MA)
What is the first driving-related ability that becomes impaired after someone starts drinking alcohol?
Judgment (the ability to make safe decisions is affected first)
True or False: The only completely safe blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving is 0.00%.
True – any amount of alcohol can impair driving, so zero is the only truly safe level
Myth or Fact: If your BAC is under the legal limit of 0.08%, you’re safe to drive.
Myth – even below 0.08% you can be impaired (legal limit doesn’t guarantee safety)
True or False: Because recreational marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, it’s okay to drive after using marijuana.
False – marijuana use impairs driving and OUI laws still apply (it's illegal to drive high)
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) (while operating commercial vehicles)?
0.04% BAC
Does alcohol consumption slow down or speed up a driver’s reaction time?
It slows down reaction time (drivers react much more slowly)
If you’ve been drinking and shouldn’t drive, name one alternative way to get home safely instead of driving yourself.
Call a taxi or use a rideshare service (any safe, sober ride home is acceptable)
Myth or Fact: Even one or two drinks can negatively impact your driving abilities.
Fact – even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and reaction time
Aside from alcohol, what drug is most frequently found in drivers involved in OUI incidents?
Marijuana (cannabis)
Is a third OUI offense in Massachusetts classified as a misdemeanor or a felony?
A felony (a third offense is treated as a felony)
Name one way that alcohol can affect a driver's vision.
Blurred vision – alcohol can also reduce peripheral vision and impair night vision
What’s one smart strategy you can plan in advance before you start drinking to avoid having to drive under the influence later?
Arrange a designated driver before you drink (plan your sober ride ahead of time)
Myth or Fact: Sticking to beer or wine (instead of hard liquor) will keep you from getting drunk.
Myth – alcohol is alcohol; drinking enough beer or wine can still raise your BAC to impaired levels
True or False: You can be charged with OUI for driving while impaired by prescription medications.
True – even legal meds can impair you, and it’s illegal to drive if they make you unsafe
How long does an OUI conviction remain on your driving record in Massachusetts?
For life – it stays on your driving record permanently (no expiration, lifetime lookback)
Massachusetts law mandates that all prior OUI convictions, both within and outside the state, are considered when determining penalties for subsequent OUI offenses
True or False: Alcohol can impair your coordination and balance, making tasks like steering or braking more difficult.
True – being intoxicated makes it harder to coordinate movements and maintain balance
True or False: If someone is drunk, letting them “sleep for an hour” will always make them sober enough to drive
False – one hour of rest is usually not enough to sober up; they could still be impaired
Myth or Fact: If someone can “hold their liquor” well, they are less impaired and can drive safely.
Myth – having a high tolerance doesn’t mean you’re not impaired; they may not feel as drunk, but their reaction time and coordination are still reduced
Name one way that using marijuana can negatively affect your ability to drive.
Slower reaction time – for example, marijuana use can slow reflexes and impair judgment of time and distance
Starting with which offense does Massachusetts law require an ignition interlock device (IID) to be installed as a condition of license reinstatement?
Second offense – after a 2nd OUI conviction (and for any subsequent offense) an IID is mandatory
Alcohol can make a driver feel overly confident. What are some risky driving behaviors this overconfidence might lead to?
Common behaviors
Taking risks – for example, a drunk driver might drive too fast, tailgate, or engage in other dangerous driving due to overconfidence
Why is it a bad idea to rely on your own judgment of whether you are “okay to drive” after you’ve been drinking?
alcohol impairs judgment – you might sincerely think you’re fine to drive when in reality you are not
Myth or Fact: Some people drive better after a couple of drinks.
Myth – alcohol never makes someone a better driver; it only makes them think they are better while actually reducing their skills
True or False: Combining alcohol with another drug (for example, mixing alcohol and sedatives or marijuana) can greatly increase driving impairment.
True – mixing substances can multiply the effects and make impairment much worse