Driving under the influence of alcohol is an issue of serious concern. With the increase in the percentage of drunken driving accidents, addressing drivers who drive their vehicle under influence of alcohol has become serious issue.
Imposing penalties on those individuals who engage in drinking and driving is to curb their drinking and driving habit. Advisory notes and warnings were not effective in stopping the incidence of DWI accidents and mishaps. Efforts to create awareness among public especially among the drinking population about the dangers and risks involved in drinking and driving do not have a wide reach.
It is only by punishing those who exhibit irresponsibility and carelessness can the menace of Drunk Driving be curtailed seriously. The regulations, penalties and punishments prescribed for DWI convicts have been tabled for your reference and clarity.
| S.No |
Nature of Crime |
Regulation/Regulatory Bodies |
Consequence/Penalty |
| 1 |
DUI/DWI Offense |
Voluntary Organizations like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving ) |
Formulation of new DUI Laws since its inception from 1980 |
| 2 |
Underage Drinking |
Legal Drinking Age Regulation |
The legal age for drinking is 21 and the same has been adopted in all the states. Underage drivers are convicted under DWI charges if they are found violating Zero Tolerance Tests |
| 3 |
Refusing to take FST (Field Sobriety Tests) |
Administration License Revocation Law |
Under this law the enforcement officers have power to suspend the driving license of those individuals who refuse to cooperate for on the spot blood and breathe test. |
| 4 |
Driving under Intoxication |
Blood Alcohol Content Test |
Adults testing more than .08 are convicted under DWI charges in almost all the states. Zero Tolerance Test is prescribed for drivers below the age of 21, where they are convicted for DWI offence even if a trace of alcohol is found in their body |
| 5 |
Repeat Offense |
Habitual Violators Law |
Habitual Violators law is imposed on those DWI offenders who have violated the DWI law more than 3 times. There violation is treated as felony, wherein they stand to loose their right to vote and loose their driving license for a long period of time. |
| 6 |
DUI Offense/ DWI Conviction |
Assessment interviews and DUI School and Education |
While the driving license is revoked under Administrative License Revocation law by the enforcement officials, reinstating the same requires the accused to pass through alcohol assessment tests and DUI School and Education |
| 7 |
Repeat DUI/DWI Offense |
Alcoholic Assessment, Medical Treatment |
The medical treatment involves alcohol assessment, residential treatment program, counseling as prescribed by the counselor |
| 8 |
DWI Conviction (Reinstating Suspended License) |
Expensive and Additional Insurance Coverage |
In order to reinstate the suspended driving license, the insurance company should certify the status of the insurance policy to the licensing authority through SR-22, which will subsequently result in increased premiums and additional insurance requirement |
| 9 |
DUI/DWI Charges |
Drunk Driver Accountability |
Out of the many policies to control intoxicated driving menace, those drivers accused of drinking and driving are made to come face to face with the victims of DWI accidents who will explain their sufferings and loss to the accused. The counselors believe such practices will help violators learn their lessons for their life |
| 10 |
DUI/DWI Offences |
DUI / DWI Law |
Larger fines, penalties and imprisonments depending upon the violations and their frequency |
It is easy to pass a law and impose punishments, what is difficult is to drive the issue clearly in the minds of people who repeatedly violate law and endanger both their lives and the lives of all others on road. So friends, hope this article was as effective as informative. Please write to us a changing incident that helped you stop a drinking and driving.
