Nowadays practically everybody knows someone who has already been arrested at least once for a DUI offense. Although it is so common, it is surprising that this phrase is often misunderstood and people can't really say for sure just what DUI is.
One misconception is that you can only be cited while driving a car, which is wrong. Operating motorcycles, boats, trucks and planes are subject to DUI charges, also. DUI means "Driving Under the Influence", but many refer to it as drunk driving and that is not correct. Drunk driving is alcohol related whereas DUI involves other drugs legal, or not.
DUI's are treated as a criminal offense, which increases the severity of the consequences. The primary reason for this is that when you get your driver's license, you have to pass a written test where you display your knowledge of what driving under the influence can bring about. Additionally, when you are caught for a DUI, you are not simply putting yourself at risk, but you are actually putting everyone else on the road at significant risk.
Typically, a DUI is determined by your Blood Alcohol Content or BAC. However, that is not the only way that you can be convicted of a DUI. The legal limits vary from state to state so you need to be sure that you are aware of what your local limits are.
It is also important to keep in mind that you can be convicted of a DUI for being under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol. Basically, anything that impairs you should keep you from driving. There are even prescription drugs that state you should not operate any machinery while taking them and if you still decide to drive a vehicle then you are putting yourself and others at risk.
There are also some strange ways to get a DUI and in some cases you will be surprised that such an offense can come from the use of a supposedly harmless product. Good examples of this are cough syrups and cold medicines. However, it is logical if you think about it since they do have alcohol as an ingredient and if you take too much then it is possible for your BAC to be above the legal limit.
It is hard to say what the consequences of a DUI are since the states do have their own sets of laws. Common punishments are suspended driver's licenses or restrictions, probation, fines or time in jail.
If you are arrested and charged with DUI then also expect a nasty surprise from your vehicle insurance company. This is because by a conviction you are required to file a SR-22 and once that is done then your insurance company can actually choose to drop you. You are also immediately after filing that form harder to insure and seen as more of a risk than others. That in turn leads to higher premiums or possibly even higher deductibles.
One misconception is that you can only be cited while driving a car, which is wrong. Operating motorcycles, boats, trucks and planes are subject to DUI charges, also. DUI means "Driving Under the Influence", but many refer to it as drunk driving and that is not correct. Drunk driving is alcohol related whereas DUI involves other drugs legal, or not.
DUI's are treated as a criminal offense, which increases the severity of the consequences. The primary reason for this is that when you get your driver's license, you have to pass a written test where you display your knowledge of what driving under the influence can bring about. Additionally, when you are caught for a DUI, you are not simply putting yourself at risk, but you are actually putting everyone else on the road at significant risk.
Typically, a DUI is determined by your Blood Alcohol Content or BAC. However, that is not the only way that you can be convicted of a DUI. The legal limits vary from state to state so you need to be sure that you are aware of what your local limits are.
It is also important to keep in mind that you can be convicted of a DUI for being under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol. Basically, anything that impairs you should keep you from driving. There are even prescription drugs that state you should not operate any machinery while taking them and if you still decide to drive a vehicle then you are putting yourself and others at risk.
There are also some strange ways to get a DUI and in some cases you will be surprised that such an offense can come from the use of a supposedly harmless product. Good examples of this are cough syrups and cold medicines. However, it is logical if you think about it since they do have alcohol as an ingredient and if you take too much then it is possible for your BAC to be above the legal limit.
It is hard to say what the consequences of a DUI are since the states do have their own sets of laws. Common punishments are suspended driver's licenses or restrictions, probation, fines or time in jail.
If you are arrested and charged with DUI then also expect a nasty surprise from your vehicle insurance company. This is because by a conviction you are required to file a SR-22 and once that is done then your insurance company can actually choose to drop you. You are also immediately after filing that form harder to insure and seen as more of a risk than others. That in turn leads to higher premiums or possibly even higher deductibles.
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