Drunk Driving and DUI Law

DUI (driving under the influence) laws are laws against people who drive when impaired by either drugs, alcohol or other dangerous substances. Also known as DWI (driving while intoxicated), DUI laws are very strict, and depending on the actual situation, can lead to jail time and significant fines. The reason why DUI laws are strict is because of the danger of driving while impaired. According to recent studies, 39 percent of vehicle-related deaths in the United States are related to drunk driving. Also, drunk driving amounts to $51 billion in damages every year. If a death occurs in a drunk driving incident, the person accused of being drunk is usually given a lengthy prison sentence.
How Are is Guilt Established in a Drunk Driving Case?

In most cases, a person is initially suspected of driving drunk or under the influence of drugs if he or she weaves or drivers erratically. If a police officer notices anything suspicious of a driver, he or she may pull the driver over and perform a number of simple tests to see if the driver is indeed drunk or under the influence of drugs. These tests can include reciting the alphabet backwards, walking in a straight line or any other test that would prove to be difficult for an intoxicated person to perform. If the driver of the vehicle fails the test, he or she may be arrested.

If the police officer has further reason to investigate, he may perform a breathalyzer test, which calculates, roughly, the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood stream. Under DUI laws, if a person has a BAC of .08 or higher, than he or she is over the legal limit, and will be arrested for drunk driving or driving while impaired. A reading below .08 may prove to be safe for the driver, but the police officer may still have reason to arrest the driver for drunk driving if he or she was driving erratically.

Research Performed That Gives Merit to DUI Laws:
In 2009, the results of a study performed by the Public Health Law Research organization were released. The aim of the study was to conclude whether or not the DUI laws placed for drunk driving were effective in preventing people from driving on the road drunk.

The study concluded that breath testing was an effective way of providing intervention in the time of a drunk driving incident occurring. They also contributed to the reduction of danger that comes with driving impaired. The study also concluded that reducing the blood alcohol content maximum DUI law for drivers under the age of 21 would significantly reduce the dangers of driving on the road. The study also concluded that reducing the blood alcohol content maximum DUI law in all persons would significantly reduce annual deaths in drunk driving related accidents.

The study also put to rest many arguments of lowering the drinking age to 18 from 21. DUI laws and other laws set in place for the minimum age of drinking are effective and should not be changed, for the sake of the population’s safety on the road.