Archive for November, 2009

Drunk driving is definitely a serious trouble and stopping people from getting behind the wheels intoxicated is a herculean task. Inspite of legal restrictions and consequences like Field Sobriety Tests (FST) and DWI people seem to lack awareness.

Laws of the State

Laws differ with States. Have you been under the coverage of DUI or DWI law? In order to get back your driving privileges remember you should submit what is called the SR-22 form to your licensing authority. Once a person is convicted under DWI charges, suspension of driving privileges for a period of atleast 30 days to one year is common in all states. Hence if you intend to restore your driving license soon after DWI conviction obtaining a SR-22 form is a must.


SR-22 form is an evidence of having liability insurance for your motor vehicle. It is a procedure where the insurance company should notify the licensing agency which is usually the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) about the status of the liability insurance policy.

High Insurance Premiums

Drunken driving insurance claims are generally very expensive. Where an individual is convicted for drunken driving, he has to approach the insurance company for SR-22 form in order to restore back his driving privileges. Not all companies issue SR-22 forms. In fact many companies terminate the insurance policies or fail to renew them where the individual is convicted for a drunken driving charge. Many states have law in place where it denies the insurance company of its right to terminate the policy of a DWI convict.


Soon after the conviction and issuance of SR-22 form, the insurance premiums of these vehicles double and they even triple sometimes. The insurance company categorizes you (DWI convict) under high risk category. And the impact of high insurance premium continues for a minimum period of 3 years. Repeated offences increase the period of impact.


Inspite of on the spot legal enforcements like field sobriety tests (FST) such as blood test and breathalyzers for testing the Blood Alcohol Content of the individual, cases of drinking and driving have hardly come down. A measure of BAC above .08 is subject to DWI conviction in almost all the 50 states in the nation.


The legal consequences of DWI convicts are severe and involves a number of fines penalties and imprisonments, depending upon the seriousness of the accident, BAC level of the driver (exceeding .08) and age of the driver (underage drinking).

Avoiding High Premium

The best way to avoid high insurance premiums is not to drink and drive. It is certainly not a joke given that a drunken driving mishap has a long list of consequences that follows both in terms of cost and other emotional considerations.


The insurance company is brought into the issue only where you are required to get a SR 22 form for restoring your driving privileges. If you choose to opt for other forms of transport then high insurance premiums may be avoided. Submission of SR-22 form is for restoring your driving privilege whether you own a vehicle or drive a rented car. In other words you are expected to possess insurance even for a rented car.


It is easier said than done. But it is much easier to avoid drinking and driving than facing the consequences and emotional disturbances that come along. You better engage a driver or call a taxi than getting behind wheels while intoxicated.

Studies have always shown that alcohol consumption in a limited and controlled manner improves the functioning of the mind and the brain. This is because when alcohol is consumed, the flow of blood to the brain increases making it more alert and alive.

Moderate Alcohol on Older Women

Studies have been conducted in Toronto to find out the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on older women , those who are aged between 70 to 79 years of age. It has been seen that these women had better mental functioning. In fact, the researchers say their cognitive functioning was the same as that would have been, had they been one or two years younger.

Moderate Alcohol Improves Memory

When the older women consumed moderate alcohol, their memory improved. This has been found out by the University of Texas. Dr. Graham, the researcher who headed the entire team, says, “Moderate drinkers reported less depression, had higher self-reported health, preformed better on instrumental everyday tasks, had stronger memory self-efficacy and improved memory performance.”


Various tests like retelling a story, hidden objects, connecting random letters and members, etc. were given to both the groups-those who drank and those who didn’t. The former scored better than the latter in nearly all the cases. Dr. McDougall said that he noticed the confidence level of those who drank to be also much higher than those who didn’t drink.


The key here is to remember the word ‘moderate’. Though this would vary from person to person, the study emphasizes the limit as up to two drinks of wine, beer or any other spirits in a day.

Drunk driving can be compared to blind rhinoceros on steroids that has just escaped from its cage at a zoo. Drunk driving accounts for more than 50% of accidents and deaths on our roads. Though not all drunken driving cases lead to the death, they however have prolonged consequences that after the fact, drunk drivers are unable to equate to the feeling they had while they were getting drunk.

After a major drunk driving accident, life seems to come to a halt. Many drunk driving victims’ lives are changed forever. Many circumstances may arise out of a single incident of drunk driving including:

• Drunk drivers may end up being prosecuted by the state for elevated alcohol blood content (BAC)
• may be imprisoned for causing injury or death to other individuals as a result of their drunken state
• may end up themselves victims of serious injury

All three consequences inflict serious financial and emotional strain on both the offender and the victims. It may also result in loss of mobility, income source, friends and freedom.


Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have long advocated a series of measures that would reach deep into the pockets and minds of individuals who insist on driving while intoxicated. One of their philosophies is that adults’ freedom to drink responsibly should be sacrificed if it opens the possibility of removing one drunk driver from the streets. This notion is gaining traction such as having divorcing parents sign a legal document prohibiting alcohol consumption before driving their children. Any failure to do so would result in loss of custody, jail time, or prevention of visitation.

How to Prevent Drunk Driving

We can prevent drunk driving in many ways. Some of them are self-dependent while others depend on the support of others.

• Be your best friend: Always know your limit. There is one saying that when the ugly person in the bar starts looking pretty it is time to go. Never consume alcohol above what only you know are your limits. Never mind what your peers may say, as they are only your true friend if they want what is best for you.
• Always have a designated driver: If you go out as a group, choose someone to be the designated driver. This individual should not be allowed to consume any alcohol and be prepared to drive every one home.
• Be a responsible Host: Never allow your guests to leave on their own driving while intoxicated. You can easily call a cab, take away their car keys, or just simply put them up to cool off until they become sober.
• Advocate for Tougher Laws against DUI: The level of grief brought on because of drunk driving warrants stiff penalties for drunk drivers. Most individuals respond only to pressure in the pockets or on their freedom.
• Report a Drunk Driver: If a drunk driver is refusing to take advice about being drunk, or just simply quit drinking, then it is time for the public to intervene. Call in your local law enforcement that will ensure their safe passage home without causing any harm to themselves and others.
• Seek Help: If you recognize that you are a persistent teenage drunk driver, seek professional advice and counseling from your local substance abuse center. These individuals are trained in handling cases of compulsive drinking and emotional disorders and are always willing to help you get over your addiction.