Do you know what drinking under the influence (DUI) means? Do you know the possible consequences and effects of DUI on your life and career if you are proven guilty of DUI? To know more about DUI, read the article below.

What is drinking under the influence (DUI)?

It is when a person drives a motor vehicle while intoxicated and his blood alcohol level is in excess of the specified limit of .08. It is considered a serious crime because it is the leading cause of traffic-related deaths and accidents in the U.S. Driving under the influence (DUI) comes in different names like driving while abilities are impaired (DWAI), operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OMWI), driving while impaired or intoxicated (DWI), operating under the influence (OUI), operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL), driving while abilities are impaired (DWAI) and alcohol related reckless driving.

Statistics show that drunk driving resulted to about 17,000 deaths every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 13,470 victims die from DUI-related injuries and crashes yearly. Of the 37,261 car accident deaths, 32% is caused by drunk driving, 1,347 of these are children, while 34 are pedestrians or bikers who are hit by drunk drivers. Of these accidents, 17% are teenagers with ages 16 to 20 years old, 12% of them are adults of 55 to 64 years old and 75% did not wear seat belts at the time of the accident.

The usual punishment for DUI-related crime is revocation of driver’s license and the revocation period depends on the severity of the crime. Always remember that these charges have impact on your professional life and career. To erase the charges filed against you, it is best that you should call a DUI lawyer or attorney immediately.

The different types of penalties for DUI include:
1. Jail time – This is the first and common penalty practiced in every state. It is not used for first time DUI offenders but it is used in succeeding arrests and convictions.

2. Fines – It is used across the country, and fines vary from state to state.

3. Community service – It is commonly used in different states in the United States.

4. Treatment – It is not just a form of penalty for DUI offenders, but it is a form of rehabilitation to curb drinking and driving habits.

5. Suspension of license – It is a common penalty practiced in all states in the United States. Some DUI offenders had their licenses confiscated to restrict them from driving to and from work.

Since DUI laws and penalties vary from state to state, it is best to know them so you know what to expect when you get caught for drinking and driving. You can read from journals, ask DUI lawyers or surf the Internet to know the different state laws on DUI.

To avoid being arrested for DUI, it is best not to drive if you drink alcoholic beverages or not to drink at all when you drive automobiles or motor vehicles.

Author Bio: Camelia Johnston enjoys writing for Drunkdrivinginmichigan.com which offers information on Michigan DUI attorney and Plymouth Michigan DUI lawyer as well as a host of additional services.

Category: Legal
Keywords: driving drunk,blood alcohol,drunk- driving policies,caught driving drunk,blood alcohol level