Operating Under The Influence (OUI)

Operating under the influence has become common for teenagers and adults. It is most common in celebrities, teens, and college students. Celebrities go to many clubs, teen’s thinks it is cool and college student go to many frat parties. I guess they have not looked into it, because the average of someone being killed by an intoxicated driver is every 40 minutes. How sad is that?

In the majority of states drunk driving is referred to or more commonly called DUI or DWI while a few use the term OUI but whichever it is called the penalties are similar , but depending on which state the specific guidelines and laws can vary. If you have a (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher it is a criminal offense and if you are under 21 it will differ more since the legal age, in most states, is 21 years old.

In a survey taken in 1997 people 18 years and older were asked if they drove while alcohol impaired and 2.1 replied yes. The same survey in 2002 had a 2.3 yes response from Americans. That is quite an increase in 5 years of people driving while impaired in the survey and since then has likely gone up. In the United Stated each year reportedly 20% of the fatalities on the road are the result of driving under the influence. If serious injury or worse, death, occurs as a result of OUI there would be more than just charges.

Having good times and going to parties is a part of life, but it has to be done responsibly. That is why teenagers should not drink, but most likely they will do so anyhow and therefore it is important that tips be given to everyone. If you can plan drinking at parties in advance then that is being a responsible drinker. Among the things you can do is designate a driver who will not drink during the time or make plans to sleep over at someone’s house or even your car. Under no circumstances should you drive if you are intoxicated or have been using drugs.

In just about all 50 states the law is cracking down on drunk drivers. It can be agreed that no one wants a loved family member, friend or innocent person get hurt or worse. If a law enforcer even suspects you are intoxicated you can be pulled over and given a field sobriety test which consists of various tests or have you take chemical tests.

Field sobriety tests consist of nystagmus, walk and turn, standing on one leg, finger to nose, and the Romberg balance test. Most of these tests are self-explanatory. The nystagmus exercise consists of the officer putting an object 12 inches from the drivers face and moving it back and forth while watching the drivers’ eyes. The others are self-explanatory.

If a chemical test is done it will consist of a breathalyzer, blood and more than likely urine samples. The breathalyzer, is blown into by the vehicle driver so the alcohol count can be done; the blood/urine samples are done in a hospital.

Don’t drive if you are under the influence of anything. No matter who you are like a star, kid, teenager or adult, an OUI will look bad on your record.

Tagged with: Alcohol • attorney • driving • Driving Under The Influence • Drunk Driving • Dui • fines • law firm • Lawyer • legal • liquor • oui

Filed under: Lawyer

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