| Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a serious | | | | jail time and confiscation of the vehicle.4- |
| offense in every state in the country. | | | | Many states are enacting new DWI laws, which |
| Everyday, the laws are getting tougher and | | | | include child endangerment if a child under |
| the penalties are, in response, getting | | | | the age of 16 (for most states) is in the |
| stiffer. The DWI laws are changing faster | | | | vehicle at the time of the crime. This |
| than most people can keep up with them. If | | | | includes all children whether or not they |
| you are considering getting behind the wheel | | | | belong to the driver.5- Some states are |
| of a vehicle while you are intoxicated, you | | | | working on passing laws that will make a |
| need to know the seriousness of the crime | | | | driver under the influence responsible for |
| that you are about to commit.1- Every state, | | | | any type of traffic accident whether or not |
| with the exception of Massachusetts, has laws | | | | they were actually at fault. This would mean |
| on the books that make it a crime to drive | | | | that if you are intoxicated and are hit by |
| while intoxicated. This usually is defined as | | | | another, un-intoxicated, driver who runs a |
| having a blood/alcohol level that is either | | | | stop sign or crosses into your lane, that you |
| above or at a predetermined level, normally | | | | would legally be at fault.6- The laws and |
| 0.10. However, some states have the legal | | | | penalties in your state may vary. It is |
| limit set lower, most of these are at 0.08 | | | | always wise to be aware of your local and |
| percent.2- Several states, forty-two to be | | | | state DWI laws and how you could be affected |
| exact, have a condition that allows offenders | | | | by them. These laws can be found on the |
| that meet certain criteria to drive if their | | | | internet for most states and by visiting your |
| cars have been outfitted with ignition locks. | | | | local police station.7- It is so important to |
| These work by locking the ignition until the | | | | realize how devastating the effect of driving |
| driver submits to an onboard breathalyzer | | | | while intoxicated can be. This crime is |
| test. If the test comes back negative, the | | | | easily preventable by calling a taxi, a |
| car is allowed to start.3- Most states follow | | | | friend or by just staying home if you are |
| the same penalty structure, beginning with | | | | going to be intoxicated. For those who don't |
| the suspension of the drivers' license. This | | | | make these types of arrangements, the DWI |
| can be done immediately if the suspected | | | | laws are getting tougher and law enforcement |
| driver refuses to submit to a chemical drug | | | | is intent on doing their job to get them off |
| or alcohol test at the time of the alleged | | | | the road.Visit or to learn more about DUI |
| violation. The penalty phase then moves to | | | | in Illinois and DUI laws. |