Driving while intoxicated is a killer and anyone who even contemplates drinking and driving should read this article. Alcohol impairs our thinking capacity and our vision. You may be under the impression that you are fine and it is a grand thing to drink and still be able to drive, however that is wrong thinking. We need to be responsible citizens where ever we live and be mindful of others.
The legal limit on blood alcohol concentration is 8 grams of alcohol per 100 deciliters of blood all across America and in most countries around the world. However it does vary and some countries have a zero tolerance policy, others like Albania for example has set the legal limit at 0.01 gram; other countries have set it at 2, 3, 4 and 5 grams of alcohol per 100 deciliters of blood.
What happens when you commit a DWI offence?
When law enforcement feels that a particular driver may be under the influence of alcohol, the driver is signaled to pull over. Once you have pulled over the officer will administer a breath analyzer test or even a blood test. The law enforcement officer has the right to also administer a field sobriety test. The field sobriety test may include walking in a straight line heel-to-toe, standing on one foot, tipping your head back and bringing your hand straight up to touch your nose reciting the alphabet, following a penβs movement with your eyes or any other task that requires mental and physical coordination.
What is the Penalty for a DWI OFFENCE?
If it is determined as a result of the field sobriety test or the breathalyzer test that the driver is over the legal blood alcohol limit the person is arrested and held in jail on a drunken driving charge until he or she appears before a judge in a court of law for sentencing. When you come up against the judge you could be facing penalties that include civil fines, jail time, license suspension or revocation and even vehicle confiscation.
Whilst the blood alcohol concentration limit has been standardized all across America the penalty for DWI offences tend to vary from state to state. I will give you broad views of the penalties to help you better understand the seriousness of such an offence. You stand to have your license revoked or suspended anywhere from 90 days to permanently; attend mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment; vehicle confiscation depending on the number of offences and possible fitting of a vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device to measure your blood alcohol concentration levels.
While it may seem like glorious fun to get sloshed on your night out with friends and then burn rubber tearing up the roads, take a moment to consider your civic duty if nothing else. Innocent people can be hurt by your actions so do the responsible thing and take a cab when you have had more than one drink β better yet donβt drink and drive!
Jane Cooper writes about
Houston DWI and
Houston criminal attorney issues.
