DWI PENALTIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES

This comes from an article from the MLBA (Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association) Newsletter dated Sep. 1984. Some of these laws are still on the books! It's interesting to compare Minnesota's DWI penalties with other countries. Penalties for DWI in Minnesota range from a misdemeanor punishable of up to 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine to a felony punishable of up to 7 years and $14,000 fine.
Here is a small list of what you could expect in other countries:

• Australia- Names of drivers are sent to local newspapers and printed under the heading, "He's (She's) Drunk and in Jail."
• Malaya - The driver is jailed. If he's married, his wife is jailed as well.
• South Africa - 10 years in jail and $10,000 fine.
• Turkey - Drunk drivers are taken 20 miles from town by police and forced to walk back under escort.
• Norway -Second offense within 5 years - license revoked for life.
• Finland and Sweden - 1 year hard labor.
• Russia - Revocation for life.
• England - 1 year in jail $250 fine, and 1 year suspension.
• France - 3 year suspension, 1 year in jail, and a $1000 fine.
• Poland - Jail, fine, and forced to attend political lectures.
• Bulgaria - second offense = execution
• El Salvador - your first offense is your last. Death by firing squad.

Always be responsible when drinking and driving!