Acronyms for DUI by State
Every state has drunk driving laws. Most states refer to
drunk driving as DUI (Driving Under the Influence); some states refer to drunk driving as
DWI
(Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Impaired);
still others refer to drunk driving as OUI (Operating Under the
Influence), OWI (Operating While Intoxicated or Operating While
Impaired), OVI (Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated),
OMVI
(Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of
Alcohol), OUIL (Operating Under the Influence of Liquor),
DUIL
(Driving Under the Influence of Liquor), DUII (Driving Under
the Influence of Intoxicants), DWAI (Driving While Ability
Impaired), DWUI (Driving While Under the Influence),
DUBAL
(Driving with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level), UBAL (Driving
with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level), UBAC (Driving with an
Unlawful Bodily Alcohol Content) or DAI (Driving After Imbibing). But no matter what you call it, the consequences are
potentially severe:
jail, fines, loss of driver's license,
required ignition interlock devices, attendance at alcohol
education programs, lectures given by MADD, SADD, or RADD,
community service or freeway cleanup, increased car insurance
rates, a criminal conviction, and more.
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| Prosecution for drunk driving in every state
focuses on four areas:
driving patterns, physical appearance,
field sobriety tests, and
chemical tests
(or the refusal to give a breath or blood
test, which may show a consciousness of guilt). Prior drunk
driving convictions may impact a current DUI arrest, but the
formula will vary from state to state. In some states, the date
of the prior arrest will control. In other states, the date of
the prior conviction will control.
Because of the threat of loss of federal highway funds,
there has been a strong trend to reduce the
legal limit for
those 21 and older to 0.08% across the country. No one is
lobbying on behalf of the impaired driver. However, given the
problems associated with alcohol testing technologies, and the
subjective and erratic manner in which drunk driving
investigations are performed in the field, there are serious
doubts as to whether many DUI arrests and prosecutions are
justified.
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