Archive for February, 2010

Drinking and driving is one of the world’s most dangerous combinations. Some commentators liken drunk driving unto a driving accident just looking for somewhere to occur. As results, administrations of various countries have adapted various measures and rules in an attempt to stem the scourge of drunk driving. Now, these laws are affected by various issues such as culture, religion and the level of drunk driving. As a result, some of the laws adapted will vary from country to another with some even being unbelievable.

United States: The United States have one of the highest rates of drunk driving related accidents and deaths in the world. Each state have their own law based in the severity of the drunk driving cases. However, as a rule, most states will charge a driver once their blood alcohol content exceeds 0.08. Where it becomes unbelievable is when some states reduce this level to 0.05 and even charge drivers for DWI if they are found with open containers in their vehicle. These offenses can lead to jail time, suspension or loss of their license.

Australia:

In Australia, the upper level for blood alcohol content is 0.05. This is reduced to 0.02 for new drivers and individuals who have only a learner’s permit. As usual, punishment for DWI in Australia comes in the form of fines, suspension of license or jail time. When it becomes strange is the law also imposes compulsory medical assessment of drivers before their driver’s license can be reinstated.

In most European countries, drunk driving is punishable by fines, suspension of license or jail time.

France:

In France, DWI offenders get a fine equivalent of $1000, loss or suspension of their license for three years of at least one-year imprisonment.

Norway:

Norway adopts a more stringent approach where drunk drivers are automatically jailed for three weeks at hard labor coupled with a license suspension for one year. If the repeat the offence they repeat the offence, then they lose their license forever.

Russia:

Now many may be surprised that they have laws for DWI in Russia based on Russians long love affair with alcohol. Russia has one of the highest consumption rates of whiskey and vodka worldwide. However, if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you simply lose your driving license for life. Even upon the first offence.

Saudi Arabia:

Other countries have even gone even further in their DWI laws. In Saudi Arabia, DWI offences are punishable by lashes in the public square.
South Africa imposes fine equivalent of $10,000, a ten-year prison sentence or both combined depending on the severity of the case.

Turkey:

In Turkey, DWI offenders are taken twenty miles from their town and then told to walk back while escorted by the police.

El Salvador and Bulgaria:

Countries such as El Salvador and Bulgaria have gone to the extreme in punishing drunk drivers. In El Salvador, first time DWI offenders are carted off and executed by a firing squad. In Bulgaria, at least they are a little more lenient, as DWI offenders are only executed after they have committed their second DWI offence.

Drunk driving has long been a major thorn in the side of policy makers. Billions of dollars are spent each year to implement policies and strategies that realize a reduction in road fatalities because of drunk driving. Increased fines, introduction of prison terms, suspension and cancelation of driver’s license are only some of these strategies.

Statistics show that of the 275,000 road fatalities in the USA each year, at least 18,000 of that number are from are directly related to DWI. As a result, there is an unfortunate but alarming fatality rate due to DWI of one DWI related death in every thirty-nine minutes. To be charged with a DWI offence, the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) must be over 0.08. Some states have lower levels of 0.07 especially for young drivers who lack the necessary experience required to navigate difficult circumstances.

States with Highest DWI Cases

Different states have different levels of DWI cases for several. Some of these are because of natural causes while others are man-made.


California: Each year there are over 200,000 DWI related accidents in California. Of this amount, almost 4000 result in fatalities. This high amount of DWI related charges are due to a number of reasons. First, to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road, the Department of transport of the state of California has stipulated that individuals under the age of twenty-one are not allowed to drive with a BAC level above 0.01 to 0.5. Breaches result in revocation of license and mandatory drunk driver visitation programs. In addition, drivers are not allowed to drive while having an open alcoholic beverage in their possession.


From a cultural standpoint, Californians are known to have a wild side. The lifestyle of the many rich and the famous does little to quell the high rates of DWI cases in California. These individuals sometimes display a carefree attitude and consume high volumes of alcohol that results in them being charged for DWI.

Alaska: Weather is a major contributing factor to the high rates of Alaska’s high rate of DWI charges and road fatalities. Alaska has one of the longest winters and like countries such as Russia, the population consumes high volumes of alcohol in order to keep their internals warm. Couples the high level of alcohol consumption with icy roads and you have an accident just waiting to happen. To stem the tide of DWI, the Alaska Road Safety Department has stepped up the drive to control the high volumes of road fatalities. They have increased fines, spot checks, prison time and termination of driving license.


Texas: Texas is another state with high DWI cases and road fatalities. The number of DWI cases is influenced by the stringent laws implemented by the state to curb accidents related to DWIs. According to Texas DWI Law, an individual who is above the age of 21 is declared drunk once their BAC level is above 0.08. For individuals below 21, any traces of alcohol regardless of how small will result in one being charged with DWI. Hence, with increased patrols the number of reported cases seems high. In addition, they also charge drinking establishments under the Dram Act that holds these sellers responsible for allowing a drinker to drink until they are a danger to themselves and others.

Since 2007, the life of Brook Muller, one of Hollywood’s most prominent real estate investor has been nothing but mishaps and bad experiences. As many of critics of her marriage had predicted, her life since then have taken the same trend of those other women who had been involved with her husband Charlie Sheen. Since then, Brook Mueller has racked up charges of abuse, DUI and cocaine possession all that has not done anything to help her reputation. In addition, she also had to check in to rehab for alcohol abuse while pregnant with twins.

Brook Mueller Checkered Pass

Not all persons were surprised with Brook Mueller’s run-ins with the law. Those who knew her during her younger years would know of past charges laid against her. The Christmas day arrest of her husband Charlie Sheen after he allegedly threatened her with a knife exposed that she also had a rap sheet dating back to 1996. In fact, the rap sheet showed charges of cocaine possession, drunk driving and property damage. Subsequently all charges were dropped.

Brook Mueller DUI

Brook Mueller was pulled over after she had damaged a road sign while driving her 1996 Chevy Corsica with three other friends in Palm Beach County. After checking on the status of the passengers who were all in good condition, the office instructed the occupants to step out of the damaged car. He stated then he noticed that the driver who was later identified as Brook Mueller almost fell down while trying to catch her balance while standing. He further noted that she had to use the car door as a support just to answer the simple questions he asked her. She had no recollection of hitting the street sign so he asked her to submit to a series of sobriety test. Of the six tests he gave her, she only passed one. As a result, she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While at the Palm Beach County jail she admitted to officers that she had been drinking wine combined with Vicodin and had previously used marijuana and cocaine.

Brook Mueller Cocaine Charges

Fast forward to 2001, Brook Mueller had another brush with the law. This time she was arrested for cocaine possession while in Florida. She was released on bail bond of $5000. However, the case was ultimately dropped after test showed that she had no drugs present in her system.

Brook Mueller Christmas Day Spat

On Christmas Day December 2009, the police received a 911 call from a woman who was later identified as Brook Mueller stating that she was being attacked by her knife-wielding husband. This resulted in her husband Charlie Sheen spending a part of Christmas Day in jail after his arrest in the ski resort town in Colorado.


However, during an interview supported by subsequent tests by police officers, Brook Mueller stated that she was drunk. However, the test actually showed her blood alcohol content of 0.13. She however recanted her admission of being drunk when she made the call.