DWI: 7 Things You Need to Know About DWI Laws

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