what is a dui

Driving under the influence (DUI) is the offense of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, to a level that renders the driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. The specific criminal offense is usually called driving under the influence in the United States, but states may use other names for the offense including "driving while intoxicated" (DWI), "operating while impaired" (OWI), or "operating a vehicle under the influence" (OVI) . In some jurisdictions, DWI and DUI have distinctive meanings, sometimes related to the level of intoxication, while in others, they may be used interchangeably. In states that recognize both violations, DWI may be a more serious charge than DUI, denoting a higher level of impairment. The terms DUI and DWI refer to the illegal act of driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs, with DUI designating driving under the influence, while DWI refers to driving while intoxicated. The precise definitions of DUI and DWI depend on the state, and the level of impairment is typically determined by the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest.