In all 50 states it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs has severe consequences and penalties.
What is DUI/DWI?
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In all states, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.
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Commercial drivers may not drive with a BAC of .04 or higher.
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Blood alcohol content or concentration refers to the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream.
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The amount is measured in percentages.
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A blood alcohol content level of 0.10 percent indicates that the driver has 1 part alcohol per 1,000 parts blood in the body.
Why is the Blood Alcohol Level an Indicator of Impaired Driving?
The amount of alcohol in the body affects the following driving skills:
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Reaction time
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Tracking ability
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Judgment
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Concentration
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Decision making skills
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Attention span
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Reflexes
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Information processing
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Visual functions
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Motor skills
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Cognition
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Others
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs:
Certain drugs and medication – prescription, legal and otherwise – affect the driver’s skills in a manner that is similar to having alcohol in the body.
It is illegal to drive with prescription medication in the body if it impairs the driver’s skills. Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs and causing vehicular homicide. If an impaired driver causes the death of another, the penalty may include:
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Vehicular homicide
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Driving under the influence
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Years in prison, fines, other penalties
Penalties for a Conviction of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs:
If an intoxicated driver harms another and/or is convicted of DUI/DWI the penalties may include:
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Prison or jail
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Driver’s license revocation or suspension
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Mandatory ignition interlock device installation – to prove non-alcoholic blood content before the car will start and/or continue
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DUI/DWI class
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Drug testing
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Increased insurance rates
