57 July 4th DUI Arrests. Each One a Potential Tragedy, Prevented. Consequences for 1st Offenders

57 Arrested for DUI During Fourth of July Holiday Weekend

During the 4th of July holiday weekend (from 12 p.m. on July 3, 2025, to 6 a.m. on July 6, 2025), law enforcement across Rhode Island arrested 57 individuals for Driving Under the Influence. This figure represents all 38 municipal police departments and the Rhode Island State Police.

“57 DUI arrests made over the July 4th holiday weekend is a clear reminder that too many people are still making dangerous choices behind the wheel,” said Chief Thomas Oates, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Woonsocket Chief of Police. “Every one of those arrests represents a potential tragedy that was prevented and I am so proud of the collaborative law enforcement community that helps to facilitate our coordinated efforts.”

Background on impaired driving

The first offense for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs carries several penalties:

• Possible jail sentence of up to one year at the ACI.
• Mandatory license suspension from three to eighteen months.
• Mandatory community service from 10 to 60 hours.
• Fines of not less than $100, nor more than $500.
• Fees can easily reach a few thousand dollars.

Rhode Island law requires you to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine to determine the chemical content of your body fluids or breath.

If you refuse this testing, certain penalties can be imposed, including the following:

• For a first offense, your Rhode Island driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state can be suspended for six months to one year or modified to permit operation in connection with an ignition interlock device for a period specified by law; a fine from $200 to $500 can be imposed; and you can be ordered to perform 10 to 60 hours of community service and attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment.

• If you have had one or more previous offenses within the past five years, your refusal to submit to a chemical test of breath or urine at this time can have criminal penalties, including incarceration of up to six months for a second offense and up to one year for a third or subsequent offense, and can carry increased license suspension or ignition interlock period, fines, and community service.

This information was provided by the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association