In October 2000, Congress passed a law that has been instrumental in reducing casualties by way of road accidents. This law required all states to adopt .08 % as the maximum permissible limit of blood alcohol content in automobile drivers on their roads. A failure to implement this law could result in the states losing some of their Federal highway funds. As a result, most states in the US adhere to this limit set by federal law.

A Riverside County driver arrested under DUI laws is given a choice of a blood test or a breath test. If a breath test suggests a .08% or higher blood alcohol level, law enforcement officers instantly seize the driver's license. If the driver refuses to undergo these tests, he/ she is given the option of a urine test. Positive tests or refusal to undergo tests, results in immediate confiscation of the drivers license.

California DUI laws are very stringent. Driving under the influence of alcohol or a combination of drugs and alcohol falls under this category. Consumption of any substance that has an impact on people's senses and driving judgments such as legal, illegal, physician-prescribed or over-the-counter drugs, are also included in DUI laws.

According to DUI law provisions, after an arrest, the driver is given a time period to request a hearing and dispute the license suspension. After the time period lapses, the suspension of the license will be considered final. Special laws for underage drivers result in long periods of suspension, which cannot be contested in most cases. The law also provides for a DUI case to be charged as a felony case if anyone is wounded or if the offender has a past record of DUI convictions.

Drunk driving penalties in Riverside are laid down by a statute and can be extremely complex. Basic suspension of license and conviction are always applied as penalties. Suspension periods are determined by factors such as the offender's cooperation with law enforcement officers, refusal to submit to chemical tests, age, blood alcohol readings over the legally permitted limits, speeding and prior history of conviction for a similar offenses. In the unfortunate event of being charged with a DUI case in Riverside, it is important to be aware of the DUI laws that are applicable.