Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses and consequent arrests happen almost every day. Most of the convicts are repeat offenders. Days have changed and increased regulations aim at stopping the recurrence of drinking and driving right in the beginning by imposing severe punishments even for first time offenders. Imagine the state of repeat offenders; it will be all the more worse. Thanks to organizations like MADD which has helped in passing number of DWI regulations.

Regulations under DWI Law

• The legal drinking age is 21 years in all states
• In order to prohibit underage drinking habits Zero Tolerance Test is practiced across all states in the country. Under this law drivers below the legal drinking age having any amount of alcohol content in their body are subjected to strict legal action.
• The legal Blood Alcohol Content level or the BAC is fixed at .08 in all states.
• Arresting officers are allowed to take away the license where the person refuses to take the spot breath test. This is called the Administrative License Revocation or the ALR, this regulation has been adopted by almost 2/3rds of the states in the US.
• Increased penalties for repeat offenders involved in drinking and driving.
• Huge fines and lengthier license suspensions have become the order of the day.
• Repeat DWI convictions are subjected to mandatory jail term by state legislations.
• Obtaining a ‘Hardship’ license has become a herculean task.

Consequences and Penalties of DWI Laws

• Strict punishments even for first time offenders, like suspension of license and 48 hrs in jail.
• Penalties imposed are as stated in the law and not as per discretion, hence hiring an attorney may not really help.
• Getting back license requires compulsory attendance of DWI programs and assessment tests, which requires more of participation than mere attendance.
• Where an individual has a repeat DWI offense of more than twice, it is considered a felony under Habitual Visitors Law, leading to loss of civil rights like voting, owning a weapon and holding a valid driving license.
• An assessment interview is a compulsory requirement under the law. It helps in deciding the extent of one’s drinking problems and the steps to be taken before reinstating license.

Assessment of Drinking Patterns

• A DWI offender is subject to Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) or counseling program or medical treatment depending upon by the certified counselor under whose discretion the offender can regain his privileges.
• All cost to attend these programs, together with penalties, fines and probation fee is borne by the DWI offender. It becomes more expensive if it is a second or third offence
• It is even worse in states which require the driver to take additional insurance coverage before giving back the driving privileges. It really costs you a lot of money.

Making the drivers feel more responsible

Not just paying damages or facing monetary implications, those drivers whose drunken driving has caused the unforeseen happenings are made to sit face to face with the victims of such drunken driving accidents, made to hear their painful stories and their life after and the impact such irresponsible drinking habits have caused.

Do you have a real life experience to share? If yes, don’t hesitate to share it with other fellow readers.

- Drive Safely & Smartly….Life is too precious!!