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Posts Tagged ‘DWI Issues’
Posted on Jun 10, 2010
Texting is one of the most convenient and cheapest ways of communicating. However, this technology has brought with it some dangers as some individuals have become so addicted to texting that they even send and receive text messaging while driving. With American sending over a trillion texts each year, texting have become an embedded part of our culture. Some teenagers even admit to being addicted to text messaging and themselves send over 500 texts per day.
Effect of Texting of Stopping Distance
A recent study showed that the average braking distance for drivers reading text message increases significantly when compared to drivers that are more alert. In a recent test conducted in Florida, the results showed a reaction time while sending and receiving text messages was worse than that of a drunk driver. He posted a reaction time of .68 seconds while driving at 70 miles per hour that resulted in an extra 70 feet before stopping. The same driver then posted a reaction time of 0.04 seconds when driving unimpaired. Additional test also revealed that texting while driving is creates a risk 2.8 times higher than driving and talking on the phone. The results of this test thus solidify the theories promoted that texting while driving is dangerous and has resulted in a significant increase in rear-enders and even fatal traffic accidents.
What can be done about Texting while Driving?
Unlike talking on the phone while driving, it is more difficult for the authorities to clamp down on texting while diving. Apart from the odd event when you are actually seen texting while driving by a police officer, all efforts to control the habit have been futile. Some states such as Florida have tried to ban all cell phone activity while driving, this however have been met with stiff resistance. As a result, they gave resorted to a significant public awareness campaign that educates the driving public about the dangers of texting while driving.
Contribution of Cell Phone Manufacturers
At the higher end of the spectrum, cell phone manufacturers are offering some cell phones that come with voice activated text messaging. The problem with this is these features only come on expensive super phones that are normally out of the reach of normal nine to five workers who use the highways daily. They have not yet found a way to transfer this technology down to regular phone sets where legislators can now take action to implement voice activated texting while driving. In the future, we do hope that this happen, as it will surely result in a reduction in the number of text messaging related accidents on the streets.
Personal Responsibility about Texting while Driving
As drivers, we must take responsibility for our actions. We must be aware of the dangers of texting while driving. In addition, we must also resist the temptation of sending text messages to individuals who we think are driving at the time. TV star Oprah Winfrey recently announced on her show that she has adapted as a policy not to accept text messages while driving a car nor send text messages to drivers. The population as a whole must emulate this concept.
DWI Issues, Road Accidents1 Comment »DWI Issues Road Accidents
Posted on May 22, 2009
Don’t you think we are talking about something very obvious? Yes, we are. If people had understood the seriousness of Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) laws, offenses and their consequences, there would have been no need for a discussion like this in the first place, no laws, no regulations and no enforcement wings and above all no accidents. Unfortunately no one has really understood the consequences of DWI offense and the far reaching impact it can create in the life of the drivers and others on road.
The question here is not about whether you should drink or not, but whether you can drive or not when you are drunk. A detailed research shows that alcohol abuse at any level indicated with the help of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level causes a person to lose control or impairs him/her of their ability to drive a vehicle, leading to accidents.
Legally Allowed Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Level
Under DWI laws and regulations a certain limit has been fixed by the authorities called the legally accepted BAC level, which is at .08. This has been widely accepted in all the fifty states in the country. The BAC level of a person depends on the number of drinks consumed by him. It is important to define the term ‘drink’ as it varies depending upon what you drink. A shot of liquor or five ounces of wine or one beer all of these contain same level of alcohol.
It is said that drivers measuring .08 alcohol levels are close to eleven times more prone to a vehicle mishap than others who do not consume alcohol. There may be a change in the level of impairment, but the fact is that impairment starts the moment they consume alcohol irrespective of gender.
Various BAC Levels And Their Implications
| S.No |
BAC Level |
Effects |
Legal Implications |
| 1 |
.02 |
Loss of judgment, impaired vision, inability to track moving objects, difficulty in performing simultaneous tasks. Visual signs are unnoticed, driving remains disturbed |
Nil |
| 2 |
.05 |
Loss of muscle control, reduced coordination with the vehicle, lower levels of alertness, inability to judge, difficulty in focusing their eyes quickly, reduced response during emergency. |
Except for physical impairment at its beginning level there is no legal implication. |
| 3 |
.08 – The Legal Limit |
Loss of self control, imbalance, talking and visual impairment, lack of reasoning, unclear memory, extremely poor muscle control and coordination. Inability to judge the speed of vehicle and reduced perception makes it impossible to drive safely. |
Crossing this limit, the driver is subject to conviction under DWI law, which results in suspension of driving license, heavy penalties and imprisonment or jail term. |
When Is It Safe To Drive?
Any amount of alcohol abuse leads a person to impairment in his physical and mental abilities. Hence the safest possible method is not to drive, no matter how much you drink. Severe consequences of DWI offense only signify the seriousness with which drunken driving incidents are being curbed to ensure public safety and safety of the person driving the vehicle. So, how safely do you drive? If you have any such experience which you find worthwhile sharing please do! |
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Alcohol Abuse, DWI, DWI Issues, DWI Laws1 Comment »BAC Blood Alcohol Content Drinking Driving Drunken Driving DWI DWI Issues
Posted on May 20, 2009
There are plenty of ways through which you can deal with DWI issues. To start with, get a proper understanding of your Miranda rights. Remember the point that anything you do or say can be used against you in the court. In case if you politely refuse to answer any queries of law enforcement officials, you make your case stronger as law enforcement officials will not be able to use any statements against you. Questions asked by law enforcement officials may sound harmless at first, but often it can have a negative impact on your DWI case.
Taking The Services Of A DWI Lawyer
You need to take the services of an experienced and highly qualified DWI lawyer that is aware of all the rules and regulations applicable in your state. If you manage to find a right kind of DWI lawyer, you will not face a suspension of your driving license. Further, you do not need to spend your time in jail as you will get the bail straightaway in a first hearing.
Blood Alcohol Content
Blood Alcohol Content or BAC is the alcohol concentration that is found in your blood. It is commonly being used as intoxication parameter for medical or legal purposes. Blood Alcohol Content is normally measured in terms of mass per volume. In some cases, BAC is also measured in terms of mass per mass. Unless you have developed a high tolerance for alcohol, a Blood Alcohol Content rating of 0.20 percent clearly indicates pretty serious intoxication. Majority of first-time drinkers would be unconscious by around 0.15 percent. On the other hand, anything in the range of 0.35 percent to 0.40 percent depicts potentially fatal alcohol poisoning.
With regard to law enforcement routines, Blood Alcohol Content is used to define intoxication. Another significant thing about BAC is that it offers a rough measure of impairment. Although, degree of impairment varies from one individual to another but it can turn out to be quite useful in the court at the time of legal proceeding.
Knowing The State Rules
To deal with DWI issues, it is of utmost importance that you have a clear cut idea of all the state DWI rules. For example, if you are living in the state of Texas and refuse to undergo test on your first offense, you may lose your driving license for a period of six months. There is no provision of occupational license in the state of Texas.
Help Of Friends And Family Members
Take the assistance of your friends and family members when you are taken into custody. They may play a prominent part in getting you release from a jail and also hiring a DWI lawyer.
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Alcohol, Blood Alcohol Content, DWI Issues, DWI Laws, MADDNo Comments »Alcohol Drunk Driving DWI Issues
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