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When did drinking and driving laws start?

I overheard my grandparents talking about how drinking and driving wasn’t always illegal. It seems unbelievable, but what do I know! When did drinking and driving laws start?

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The very first drinking and driving law can be dated back to 1910 in
New York
. The punishment was $1,000 and a year of jail time. Other states soon adopted similar policies.
These laws went into effect shortly after the introduction of the Model T Ford in 1908, when the number of cars on the road began to rapidly increase.
While you’re learning more about driving laws, consider learning more about your insurance options, too. The
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MORE:
DUI vs DWI: What’s the difference?
DUIState LawsDrunk Driving
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