§ 23-13-258 - Operation of motor vehicle while in possession of, consuming, or under influence of any controlled substance or intoxicating liquor prohibited. - Arkansas Statutes

23-13-258. Operation of motor vehicle while in possession of, consuming, or under influence of any controlled substance or intoxicating liquor prohibited.

(a) (1) Any person operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle, which motor vehicle is susceptible at the time of such operation or physical control to any regulations of the State Highway Commission regarding the safety of operation and equipment of that motor vehicle, who commits any of the following acts shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction for the first offense shall be subject to a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000):

(A) Operating or being in physical control of such a motor vehicle if he or she possesses, is under the influence of, or is using any controlled substance;

(B) Operating or being in physical control of such a motor vehicle if he or she possesses, is under the influence of, or is using any other substance that renders him or her incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle; or

(C) (i) Consumption of or possession of an intoxicating liquor, regardless of its alcoholic content, or being under the influence of an intoxicating liquor while in physical control of such a motor vehicle.

(ii) However, no person shall be considered in possession of an intoxicating liquor solely on the basis that an intoxicating liquor or beverage is manifested and being transported as part of a shipment.

(2) Upon the second and subsequent convictions, that person shall be subject to a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) As used in this section, "controlled substance" shall have the same meaning ascribed to that term in the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 5-64-101 -- 5-64-608, and the regulations issued pursuant to that act.

(c) Nothing in this section is intended to abrogate any of the provisions of the Omnibus DWI Act, 5-65-101 et seq., and any person violating any of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section who may be charged with a violation of the Omnibus DWI Act, 5-65-101 et seq., shall be so charged with a violation of that act rather than with a violation of this section.