| So, what is a DUI or DWI | | | | influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), driving under |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol (driving while | | | | the combined influence of alcohol and/or other drugs, |
| intoxicated, drunk driving, drinking and driving, | | | | driving under the influence per se or drunk in charge [of |
| drink-driving) or other drugs, is the act of operating a | | | | a vehicle]. Such laws usually (but not always) also |
| motor vehicle (and even a bicycle, boat or horse in | | | | apply to boating (as in Canada[1]), piloting aircraft, or |
| selected jurisdictions) after having consumed alcohol, to | | | | driving a bicycle. |
| the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It | | | | What should you do if you get a DUI or DWI? It can |
| is a criminal offense in most countries around the world | | | | be a scary and costly experience, with big |
| DUI and DWI an Overview | | | | consequences. |
| In most international jurisdictions, anyone who is | | | | It is recommend that you obtain a lawyer, it can be |
| convicted of injuring or killing someone while under the | | | | quite scary to go it alone. So at the very least talk to a |
| influence of alcohol or drugs can be heavily fined, as in | | | | lawyer, get there advice. And never just plead guilty! |
| France, in addition to being given a lengthy prison | | | | They make it look like that's the best way to handle it |
| sentence. | | | | when in court and that's what many people do. You |
| The specific criminal offense may be called, depending | | | | will see that on the day you go to court but you can |
| on the jurisdiction, driving while intoxicated (DWI), | | | | beat it, avoid some of the fines and the usual 2 days in |
| operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor | | | | jail. |
| vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the | | | | |