Everyone knows that driving under the influence is not something to joke around with. Getting pulled over and charged with a DUI is a serious thing and you can face hefty penalties for it. But how much do you actually know about a DUI and all that comes with it?
When it Become Illegal
Driving under the influence is illegal if you’re using any type of drug or your alcohol level is above the legal limit. The legal limit is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more. However, if you are pulled over and your BAC is .07 or above, you can also be charged with driving while intoxicated. It all depends on the circumstances and your driving. There are no set number of drinks that you can have before you hit the legal limit, so it is best to just not drive if you have been drinking.
It’s More Than Alcohol
Although the measurement is called a blood alcohol content, it looks at more than just the level of alcohol in your body. It can also be affected by certain medications or drugs. If you are taking medication, make sure you read the warning labels. It will tell you if you aren’t supposed to drive or operate machinery. Recreational drugs will also cause problems, and it is even worse if they are mixed with alcohol. Safe to say, if you take anything that will impair your judgment, you shouldn’t be driving.
An Arrest Doesn’t Mean a Conviction
If you are pulled over and arrested for a DUI, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the end of it. The police rely heavily on breathalyzers to assess whether or not someone is over the legal limit, but these tests aren’t always accurate. The breathalyzer might not be properly calibrated, or it might be administered improperly. If you are arrested, it could be beneficial to talk to a lawyer about getting the charges dropped. However, if you were obviously soused, there isn’t much that can be done. The evidence is all there.
You Don’t Have to Drive Far to Be Arrested
If you are drunk and you get into your car to move it, even just a block or two, you could be in trouble. There isn’t a certain number of miles that you have to drive to be guilty, so just don’t risk it. You are a danger to yourself and to other people, no matter if you are driving home or just moving your car to the other side of the parking lot. Call a friend or a cab, just don’t drive your car.
It may seem harmless at the time, but there is never a good reason to drive when you are drunk, and there are plenty of reasons to not drive while drunk. Not only is a DUI costly, it will remain on your record for years and there is a high likelihood that you will hurt someone. Just put the keys down.
