DUI: What Is It?
DUI, or driving while intoxicated, is a serious crime that, if proven, carries harsh punishments. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited in most states (sometimes both). Even being drugged up can occasionally be a reason for the arrest.
It will be up to law enforcement officials to decide whether or not they think you were inebriated at the time of your arrest if you are pulled over for drunk driving.
Driving laws vary, but all aim to prevent persons from operating a vehicle while inebriated. These laws make it illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Also, It prohibits possessing open alcohol substances in a car while the driver is behind the wheel.
Why Is It Important?
For a variety of reasons, DUI laws are crucial. First, you are shielded by the law from being blamed for a drunken accident that was someone else’s fault. If you are in the automobile with a friend or family member who causes an accident while under alcohol, you may be held responsible for the damages.
DUI laws are intended to safeguard society and protect you and your loved ones. Everyone on the road, including the drunk driver, is seriously endangered by drunk driving. Each year, hundreds of people are killed in drunk driving collisions, and hundreds others get injuries severe enough to require hospitalization.
How Can a DUI Lawyer Assist in a Collision?
Accidents caused by drunk drivers can have catastrophic repercussions. Your license will probably be suspended if you are proven inebriated after being stopped for a DUI. In some circumstances, getting into an accident while driving under the influence may not be the worst thing to happen to you.
You can be accused of reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter, as well as blame for other parties’ injuries. These offenses carry substantial fines and jail sentences as possible punishments.
Having experienced legal counsel on your side as soon as possible after being arrested for driving under the influence is important. A DUI lawyer specializing in defense can help you navigate the court system and provide representation during all phases of the case.
The Following Points Highlight the Importance of How DUI Laws Keep Millions Of People Safe
● DUI Laws Keep Drunk Drivers Off The Roadways
Drunk drivers pose a serious risk not only to their life but to other people on the roadways because their high blood alcohol content (BAC) levels impair their judgment. It’s estimated that one out of every three car crashes involves an impaired driver over the legal limit for alcohol consumption at the time of the crash. Without strict DUI laws, more accidents would result from drunk drivers on the roadways at all times of day and night. It would increase the likelihood that more would get injured or die from accidents involving impaired drivers.
● DUI Laws Save Lives
DUI laws save countless lives annually by keeping drunk drivers off the road. Without these laws, it would be even easier for impaired drivers to get behind the wheel and cause accidents that kill innocent people. In fact, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), nearly 10,000 people died in drunk-driving crashes in 2016 alone; that’s one person killed every 53 minutes in an alcohol-related crash. These numbers are unacceptable and show how important it is for states to pass strict DUI laws like those found in New York and other states nationwide.
● DUI Laws Discourage Dangerous Driving
DUI laws do more than only deter driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. They also help to protect other drivers on the road. With harsher sanctions, people are less likely to drink and drive because they know they could face serious consequences if discovered.
● DUI Laws Keep Millions of People Safe
The number of road fatalities in the United States increased from 10,265 in 2015 to 10,497 in 2016 alone. A drunk driver was involved in over 37% of those road fatalities or deaths resulting from alcohol-impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol is the factor in nearly one-third of all fatal collisions in our country annually (NHTSA).
What can be done, then, to lower these figures?
One option is to police DUI laws more strictly and increase the consequences for offenses, making people think twice before operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
● DUI Laws Encourage Accountability
DUI laws also greatly assist society by encouraging civic duty. Without them, many people would be drinking and driving with no concern for the safety of others. People should make the right choice before getting behind the wheel by making it unlawful to consume alcohol and operate a motor vehicle.
The Following are the Benefits of DUI Laws
- The law lowers accidents and fatalities brought on by alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost one-third of all highway fatalities in the US occur due to alcohol-related crashes, which, according to estimates, kill over 10,000 people annually. At least 100,000 people have been hurt annually in accidents involving alcohol.
- Preventing injuries from drunk driving is essential to protect our communities from damage. By forbidding anyone from operating a vehicle after excessive alcohol consumption or the use of substances that impair driving, drunk driving regulations help avert these tragedies.
- It protects innocent victims and non-drinkers or drug users who might drive and get into accidents with intoxicated drivers. These rules protect drivers who haven’t had a drink but are involved in accidents with drunk drivers in danger of being found guilty of permitting another driver to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Conclusion
Optimistically this post has helped you understand the significance of DUI legislation. It’s crucial to enforce them for various reasons, including the safety of other drivers and your own. So, please remember individuals harmed by drunk driving and try to avoid them. After all, it’s legal and safer.
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence and need legal assistance, call a local DUI attorney who can help answer your questions regarding your case and explain your choices moving forward.