The popular belief of impaired driving is drinking and driving and yet it is there is more to impaired driving. A driver\’s most popular question is usually how long it takes to get a pardon if someone has been convicted of impaired driving. To get the answer to the question asked the driver must first know the laws. While driving impaired, there are certain laws that vary from country to country that affect the person.

Legal levels of blood alcohol that a person can have in their body while driving changes depending on the country, province or state they are in. Canada\’s legal level of alcohol for a driver over 21 years old is 0.05%, but in Quebec it is 0.08% for the same age driver. The United States of America\’s legal limit for a 21 year old driver is the same as in the province of Quebec. The legal limit is 0.01% to 0.05% for anyone of the age of 21 driving In the USA. For bus drivers and other transport vehicles operators the limit is 0.01% while driving. The new law that is in place in Canada has made it illegal for the young drivers under 21 years old to have any alcohol in their body while driving.

Cops in the countries of Canada and the United States of America make DUI drivers participate in field sobriety tests if they believe the people are guilty of driving under the influence. Saying the alphabet in reverse is one of the tests used a lot by the police. Walking in a straight line heel to toe is done by drivers who are participating in the walk and turn test. Standing with one leg and touching a finger to the nose tests the balance, hand to eyes coordination of a driver. Modified position of attention and nystagmus are other tests that an officer can make a person do. A breath test or PBT is done to check the blood to alcohol levels that are in a person\’s body.

The ability to drive can be affected by not just alcohol, but other drugs as well. Drug users that inject or snort cocaine feel more confident and alert, yet there sight and ability to hear well are affected. Slow reaction time, decrease ability to concentrate, the ability to keep hands steady and the strength of muscles affect those who have taken the drug known as Cannabis. Those suffering from distorted moods and visions are under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs like LSD. Taking medical drugs to deal with a cold like cough syrup can make a driver drowsy while driving.

An impairment that is very dangerous while driving is fatigue. Less energy causes slower reaction time while a person is driving fatigued. Several collisions occur from a driver falling asleep at the wheel while driving. Moving obstacles for example an animal become more dangerous to a driver who has a slower reaction time caused by lack of sleep. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are not the solution for fatigue because only a good night sleep will eliminate fatigue.

Driving under the influence charges differ depending on the country the person is in. The first offense penalties are $150-$1000 fine, 3 day license suspension for drivers caught within the warning blood alcohol content range of 0.05%-0.08%. After the first offense a driver caught within the 5 year range they get charge with a 7 day suspension, pay a fine, as well as, attend a mandatory alcohol education program. The punishments and costs of the fines become more severe for each level a driver goes up. If a user of illegal drugs is caught driving they can be charged with possession and similar charges that apply to a driver caught drinking and driving.

How to get a pardon for the DUI is a question asked a lot by people who are charged with driving under the influence. Step number one for a person interested in getting a pardon is to obtain their certified criminal record. Once the person has their certified criminal record, they need to get a copy of their finger prints by the either getting it from an electronic printing agency or by obtaining it from the local police force in their city or town and then the person sends the copy of the finger prints with payment to the civil sector of government. In the mail the person will receive a copy of their criminal record which has to be check over by the person to see if all charges are on the criminal record. Having legal specialist like pardon base companies represent you in court is a great idea and a step that some forget to do. The amount of time can change from a few months to years for a driver charge with a DUI waiting for their pardon.

Drugs, both medical and non-medical, alcohol and fatigue are the many shapes and forms of DUI, yet the punishments for all of them are the same for the driver. Field sobriety tests are asked to be done by a driver that the local police officers suspect is under the influence. The charges and penalties a driver will receive are based on the level of conviction they are at when caught driving under the influence. Answering the question of how long it takes to get a pardon if someone has been convicted of impaired driving changes upon the situation and country that they are in.

About the author, Hire DUI Lawyers or Impaired Driving Lawyers, keep a clean criminal record.

Author Bio: Hire DUI Lawyers or Impaired Driving Lawyers, keep a clean criminal record.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: impaired, driving, record, fine, crime, alcohol, drugs