People all over the world drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs every day. Not only is this dangerous for those people, but it endangers everyone around them as well as other innocent people on the road. This article will discuss four facts about driving under influence (DUI).
The Legal Definition of DUI
There are various standards in every country regarding how much alcohol you can consume before you are considered drunk. Anything above that level will make it illegal for you to drive. The legal definition of driving under influence is when someone drives while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Laws concerning this are different in each state, but most states have laws that establish four main levels of intoxication: 0.08%, 0.10%, 0.15%, and twice the state’s normal legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC), also known as “per see set” laws.
Drugs can be classified into three categories—those that are medicinal, those used for anesthesia purposes, and illicit drugs, which include both illegal drugs and designer drugs. Some common types of drugs are marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Using these drugs makes it illegal for you to drive just like if you were intoxicated by alcohol.
The Consequences of Driving Under Influence
Driving under the influence is not only dangerous but is also a criminal offence. Penalties vary significantly but generally, they include the following:
Probation
Probation is a sentence of community supervision that may include any combination of electronic monitoring, community service and/or jail time. Probation can vary from several years to life depending on the severity of your crime, how good your lawyer is, and other factors such as eligibility and state law. You will usually be required to meet regularly with a probation officer during your term of probation and follow recommendations for rehabilitation treatments such as alcohol or drug treatment programs.
Fines
Driving under influence comes with heavy fines. If you are convicted of a DUI, there is usually a fine linked to it. This fine can vary depending on the severity and nature of your crime. The average range for fines is between $300 and $1,000 in most states, however, they may go up to as much as $10,000 in severe cases such as when someone was injured or another person was killed in an accident.
Restoration Fees
After you serve your time and pay all fines and court costs, including restitution to any victims who may have been injured in accidents caused by drunk driving, you will still have to pay restoration fees to get your license back. These fees can vary considerably from state to state depending on the current laws regarding this issue in that particular jurisdiction.
Types of DUI Offences
There are two types of driving under influence offenses. The first is known as a strict liability offense, the second is termed an offense involving negligence or recklessness. Strict liability offenses carry very little, if any, proof requirements which make it easier to prove your guilt in court. With a strict liability offense, prosecutors do not have to produce any evidence against you except for revealing your official BAC levels.
Negligent driving under influence involves more proof requirements because you may be able to prove your innocence if you can show that the prosecution could not provide enough evidence to show that you were negligent or reckless at the time of driving.
The Medical Consequences of Drinking and Driving
Your BAC increases as you take more drinks. For example, if your BAC level is 0.08%, you are 4 times more likely to have a fatal car accident than someone with a 0.00% blood alcohol content (BAC). Here are the things that can go wrong health-wise in case of an accident:
Broken Bones
If you were to experience a car accident and survive it, chances are that your body would suffer from broken bones due to the sheer force of impact. These broken bones might heal eventually but the pain may be impossible to bear. In severe cases, a bone may have to be replaced with a steel rod or a prosthetic.
Brain Damage
The brain is one of the most sensitive organs in the human body and as such, it can be severely injured due to a car accident. If your head smashes into the steering wheel or windshield during the collision, there is a good chance that you may suffer from memory loss, seizures, and other long-term effects like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later on in life.
Severe Burns
Having a car accident in an enclosed space could lead to the burning of skin tissues in case of collision. A majority of this burnt skin can be attributed to the rupture or ignition of gas tanks present in most vehicles these days. The burns are so severe that they leave permanent scars on your body, especially on your face.
Drinking and driving is a criminal offense that can lead to serious consequences if you’re caught. It’s not worth ruining your life just because you had one drink too many before getting behind the wheel of a car. If you have been charged with DUI or DWI, get in touch with a professional right away so he or she can help you out during this difficult time!
