In the United States, DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWI (Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired) are criminal driving offenses in all states. These offenses encompass dangerous driving impairment caused by alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances. The precise definitions of DUI and DWI depend on the state, but for the most part, they are synonymous terms that represent the criminal offense of operating (or in some jurisdictions merely being in physical control of) a motor vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of both. The key inquiry focuses on whether the drivers faculties were impaired by the substance that was consumed.
The detection and successful prosecution of drivers impaired by prescription medication or illegal drugs can be difficult. Most impaired driving offenses are charged after a breathalyzer or blood test indicates that a driver’s blood-alcohol content (BAC) is above the federal BAC limit of 0.08% . State law may enforce a lower legal BAC limit. The consequences of a first-offense DUI vary by state and can include jail time, community service, fines, license suspension, and having to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. The penalties for a DUI can be increased if the driver had a high BAC or was involved in an accident where someone was injured. A DUI conviction or guilty plea can result in jail time, fines, a license suspension or revocation, mandatory treatment programs, and other penalties.
