Posts Tagged ‘Zero Tolerance Law’

Drunk Driving

Drunken driving menace has grown over the years inspite of growing DWI legislations and regulations to curtail the very act of drinking while driving. The most threatening ones are underage drinking, teenage drunk driving and the mother of all the alcohol abuse.

People found drinking and driving are subjected to a number of Field Sobriety Tests such as Breathalyzer, Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and certain other on the spot test and convicted under DWI offense under the driving laws of the state once they are found crossing permissible legal limits.

With Zero Tolerance Test and Legal Minimum Drinking Age regulations, underage drinking and teenage drinking and driving is kept under control. But again we cannot be sure about how long such regulations stand effective.

While it is the duty of the legal system and police to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country, nothing is possible without people’s cooperation and assistance. Unless we help them in pointing out the danger they can hardly help us.

Your Action can Help Police Stop Drunken Driving

An action helping the police get rid of drinking and driving menace is one great thing that can happen provided we individuals understand the meaning and importance of it. It is practically not possible for the law enforcement officials to be everywhere to book people under DWI offense. It is only with the help of responsible and observant drivers and pedestrians who can actually help make roads safe for everyone.

The first thing that you should be noting down is the phone number you should be calling to inform about the intoxicated driving. Call 911 if you happen to see some one weaving on road, swerving, braking abruptly, appears to be heavily intoxicated, stopping without reason on a traffic lane, crossing traffic all of a sudden, responding very slowly to traffic signals, conducting the vehicle rapidly, drifting away, driving on a route other than the designated one, inconsistency in signaling without proper response, taking an unreasonably wide turn, rash driving almost hitting an object or vehicle, taking illegal turns on road.

When you call the enforcement officials make sure you inform them about the whereabouts of the location you are calling from, the direction of your travel, vehicle description and the driving license number on the plate if is possible. Your duty stops in informing the officials and you are no way expected to interfere with the driver or stop him whatsoever. Make sure you do not get into the scene provided you are a victim of any mishap.

Consequences of Drinking and Driving – DWI Offense

Driving laws of the state make it clear that if a person is found driving the vehicle under intoxication and tests reveal intoxication beyond the legally permitted limits then he will be convicted under DWI offense under the DWI laws of the state for alcohol abuse and drunk driving. Depending upon the extent of damage caused and level of intoxication revealed through BAC and other tests the punishment is determined which involves fine, imprisonment and alcohol treatment programs.

Will you lend your helping hand in saving the life of atleast one person? Do you think it will help?

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!!

What is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?

Blood Alcohol Content is the level of alcohol content in the body of the individual. For your information, the measure of alcohol content in the body helps in deciding the ability of a person to drive safely. The normally prescribed level is about .08 points. Where the individuals measure of BAC is more than the prescribed level he is said to be impaired of his driving ability and is subject to prosecution under the driving laws of the state. Irresponsible drinking habits are a major cause for all drunken driving accidents. Where a person is found to be driving under the influence of alcohol the patrolling officer has the authority to stop the vehicle and subject the driver of the vehicle to field sobriety test (FST) in order to determine whether the person is under the influence of alcohol. Once it is proved, blood samples are sent across for testing the level of alcohol in their body.

How to calculate the estimated Blood Alcohol Content or the BAC?

The level of alcohol content in the body is estimated making use of certain drinking levels of the person subject to test. The alcohol content in the body of a person is subject to body weight of a person, number of drinks consumed and the time period since his/her last drink.

Well now let us know the measure of drinks. One drink is either a twelve ounce bottle of regular beer or five ounces of wine or one ounce of liquor. If you have numbered your drinks probably you will be able to estimate the alcohol content in the body.

Normally a table of values subject to the body weight of a person and the number of drinks consumed by him is used to measure the alcohol content in the body. This is the measure of alcohol immediately after consumption. Hence after locating the values you should subtract the percent of alcohol used during the passed after your first consumption. The value is .015% every hour of time elapsed after consumption.

These details are published on the net not just to know but also to cross verify the lab test reports and their authenticity.

Why do you think it is necessary to fix an acceptable level of BAC?

Just having a sip of alcohol is not going to impair your ability to drive or to follow the safety measures while driving. At the same time it becomes extremely important to curb the increase cases of Driving While Intoxicated . Such accidents occur only when the alcohol content in the body of the individual results in impairment of driving abilities posing a threat both the driver and the others on road. While a limit is fixed for adults, drivers below the age of 21 are subject to Zero Tolerance Tests, where they are subject to prosecution if any trace of alcohol is found in the body of the individual.

So the next time you travel after a drink kindly ensure you do not fall into the prohibited level of alcohol content. Even otherwise do you wish hurt yourself and others due to drinking and driving?