| The DUI laws today can vary from state to state. For | | | | you about a horrible car accident they once witnessed |
| instance, I once knew someone in Texas who literally | | | | along with the tragedies of driving while intoxicated and |
| drove around everywhere with some kind of alcoholic | | | | just about every paramedic and ER employee will |
| drink in his hand without thinking twice about it, | | | | back them up. |
| whereas in Arizona, if you get caught with an empty | | | | I, being in my thirties, remember a time when it was |
| container in your car, you are facing some serious | | | | easy for a teenager to buy a pack of cigarettes or |
| consequences. But why are the laws in Arizona so | | | | some alcohol. All you had to do was pay someone |
| strict and why do so many people face jail time for | | | | standing outside the convenience store to go get you |
| even the most minor infraction? | | | | some or have a note from your mother stating you |
| I am not an advocate for drinking while driving. In fact, I | | | | were buying it for her. That's not so anymore and with |
| feel there are too many people killed everyday for this | | | | good reason. I'd like to think that we, as humans, get |
| very action. I do believe, however, that because of | | | | smarter with time. Although that's not always the case, |
| these ignorant individuals, too many arrests are being | | | | with this issue, I think we have. |
| made for slight violations like medication usage that | | | | In September, 2008, the Arizona DUI laws regarding |
| does not impair the ability to drive or for those who | | | | driving while intoxicated dramatically changed. Even the |
| are not intoxicated at all yet are treated as though | | | | slightest inebriation can get you some jail time and |
| they were, simply because the officer on duty feels | | | | cause you to lose your license, .08 percent to be |
| they might be. | | | | exact. |
| Does this mean that the citizens who regularly drive | | | | So, who is at fault for the changes to these laws? |
| while under the influence have ruined it for the rest of | | | | Well, you could say it's our grandparents who used to |
| us who do not drink and drive? Not exactly. Generally | | | | drink and drive on a regular basis or you could blame it |
| speaking, if you are not drinking and driving, you will not | | | | on the countless parents who have lost children to |
| be arrested for DUI but as in every other crime out | | | | drivers who were under the influence. Either way, it is |
| there, there are those who do get charged for | | | | a matter that needed to be looked at and changed. I |
| something they did not do. I feel it is those who cannot | | | | say, it's the fault of the inconsiderate drivers who |
| control their behavior who have caused the law | | | | always say, "It won't happen to me." Until it does and |
| enforcement agencies to become more wary of the | | | | they've ruined the lives of others and themselves as |
| rest of us. Can you blame them? | | | | well. |
| I'm sure every officer out there will have a story to tell | | | | |