Alcohol has been enjoyed for thousands of years, not only for its sanitation, but also for its taste. However, only in the past couple centuries have people had to worry about the combination of drinking and driving–and they do not mix well. Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates that a person is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. Alcohol tricks the brain, making you think that you are capable of driving when you may have lost the essential skills necessary to safely operate your vehicle.

When you consume an alcoholic drink, it passes through your digestive system like any other food or beverage. The stomach and upper intestines break down the beverage and absorb the alcohol. From here, the chemical enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body. The blood carries the alcohol to the brain, where alcohol can have some interesting effects.

First, it is important to realize that the body uses two main types of neurotransmitters to function: excitatory and inhibitory signals. In the brain, alcohol works as an inhibitory signal. It helps to enhance the effects of GABA, one of the primary inhibitors in the brain. As an inhibitory signal, GABA works to slow down the functioning of the body. This is what leads to stumbling and slurring.

Additionally, the stronger effects of GABA also slow down key functioning of the brain that normally helps with your driving. In the cerebral cortex, alcohol leads to feelings of recklessness as well as a slowdown of information processing and the thinking process. This may increase the risks that you take while driving drunk while at the same time making it difficult to understand what is happening around you.

In the cerebellum, alcohol can disrupt your balance and coordination. Without coordination, it can be very difficult to perform the fast-action skills necessary to drive a car. For instance, you may not be able to stop your vehicle fast enough to avoid a wreck.

When intoxicated individuals choose to drink and drive, they lose the important skills that they need to be safe drivers. If someone has made the tragic decision to drink and drive, hurting you or someone you love, you should fight back against this terrible carelessness.

To learn more about your legal options, please visit the website for the Wisconsin auto accident lawyers from Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today.

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The facts about drunk driving are so horrendous and scary that simply to be aware of them will by itself introduce a measure of sobriety in us and a willingness to do more than just stand by while hundreds of people are killed or injured every year. You can literally help save a life today by simply reading the following statistics, understanding the gravity of the situation and by sharing these facts judiciously with those who you think may also be in a position to help.

1) One in three of us will be involved in an impaired driving accident during our lifetime.

2) One in three 13-year olds drinks alcohol.

3) Kids who start drinking young are 7 times more likely to be involved in a drunk driving accident.

4) More teenagers die in car accidents than from any other cause and one in three of these accidents are due to drinking and driving. The severity of accidents increases with the involvement of alcohol–2% property damage, 4% bodily injury, 22% death.

5) Six thousand people die every year because of teenage drinking and this is more than all other illegal drugs combined. More males than females are involved–26% male teens versus 13% female teens. Alcohol use makes it less likely that these kids will be wearing safety belts–of those that were killed in a drinking and driving accident, 73% were not wearing seat belts.

6) High school students who use alcohol or other illegal drugs are five times more likely to believe that good grades are not important and drop out of school.

7) One person will die every 50 minutes in a drunk driving accident in the United States. That’s 10,839 people this year.

One person is injured every minute in a drinking and driving accident. That’s over half a million people this year, the entire population of Tuscon, Arizona, Omaha, Nebraska, Sacramento, California or Atlanta, Georgia.

9) Every adult in the United States pays $500 every year because of impaired driving.

10) The average habitual drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before he is caught for the first time. These traffic stops often result in the identification of criminals who are suspected in other crimes.

Remember, today it is someone else’s son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister who is killed or seriously injured by a drunk driver but tomorrow it could be your turn. No matter what you think, you are not special.

To learn more about drunk driving, please visit DWI in Texas and Auto Insurance Costs.

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If you saw someone leave a suspicious looking bag under the seat in a subway just before leaving the train, would you call the police? Of course you would. Unfortunately, you likely wouldn’t be as civic minded if you saw someone driving drunk–the one thing that causes more wrongful deaths and injuries than any other in the US. This is because you likely don’t know what to look for and what to do if you spot someone driving or trying to drive drunk. So here are some ideas on what to look for to spot someone who is likely driving drunk and what to do if you do.

One of the surest ways to tell if someone is driving impaired is if he accelerates quickly and brakes continuously. No normal person would do this. Another sign is if someone almost hits another car, street sign or other object. Some obvious signs are if you see someone driving in the opposite lane against traffic, changing traffic lanes often, not staying in between the lane markers, turning suddenly without signals and driving without headlights. Driving too slow can also be a sign that something is wrong and the most likely cause is drunk driving.

These are far too common events on our roads and we will see them every day. But if we see someone who is most likely drunk while driving, we likely won’t do anything for the simple reason that we don’t know what to do. So what exactly is the best way to react if we have good reason to suspect that someone is driving while impaired? Here is a list:

The first thing to do is stay away from the drunk driver, the farther away the better. The worst thing you can do is drive up to or alongside the offender to try and see if he is really drunk or just having some other difficulty. It is not your job to guess and someone’s life may be in danger. Worse, the impaired driver may get confused and hit you. Next, if you are able to without putting yourself in danger, take note of the driver’s license plate number along with details of his auto’s make, model and color and then try to stop as soon and as safely as possible. One way to take note of the number safely is to read it to yourself aloud and keep repeating it aloud until you are able to stop safely. Then, while you are still repeating the number aloud to yourself and have stopped, write it down as quickly as possible, along with the details about the offender’s car–the make, model, color. You will also want to note the road he was traveling on and in what direction, and any cross streets that you may have just crossed. Then call 911 immediately and read them all of this information.

There is no need for you to do anything else. Just leave the rest to the police as they know best how to safely handle the situation.

For more information on drunk driving, go to DWI in Texas and Texas DWI laws.

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How Drunk Driving Affects Your Insurance
By Amanda Rodriguez

Drunk driving is a serious offense, yet the rates for DUI and DWI’s are steadily increasing little by little, rather than decreasing. If you are convicted of drunk driving, a number of things will happen, but perhaps the most severe, besides death and manslaughter, is the long term negative effects on your car insurance rate. You probably have figured out that drunk driving is definitely not worth it, but here’s what you will face in terms of car insurance penalties. Read on with an open mind and silent vow to never drink and get behind the wheel. Always have a designated driver on your nights out involving alcohol.

If you are convicted of a DUI or DWI offense, be prepared to have your automobile insurance rates increase drastically. There is no other way out. For at least three years you will be punished and will be paying a much higher rate. In fact, you will no longer be on a regular insurance plan, but be put on a probationary insurance policy specifically for people with a past drunken driving offense such as DUI or a DWI. You will become more familiarized with something called a SR-22 car insurance policy. Chances are, your rates will increase before you are even allowed to resume regular driving routines again.

This SR-22 form varies by state in terms of the magnitude and duration of penalty. For example, your driver’s privileges may be postponed or even revoked for a varied amount of time. The level of intoxication upon your arrest will also determine other more severe penalties. Your revoked license may be in effect for a minimum of thirty days to even one full year, even if it is your first time offense.

The SR-22 form proves to a judge that you actually have official motor vehicle liability insurance and in many states, if you want to redeem your driving privileges again, you will have to show proof of the SR-22 form. Your insurance company is required to notify if you cancel your policy.

Another hefty penalty is the amount you pay for your premiums, which could triple. Depending on your status as a “high-risk” driver, your premiums will increase accordingly, which is determined by your insurance provider upon acceptance of your SR-22 form. You will also have a cancellation on your claims history, causing your rates to go up inevitably. The duration of this increased rate policy vary from state to state, and also depending on the drunk driving conviction you receive. Be prepared to get slammed with at least three years of costly rates, even for the first offense. After the first time, the length of time will be much longer because it reflects on your irresponsible and untrustworthy driving pattern. If your reckless driving has hurt someone, this length of time will be doubled, tripled, or carry on indefinitely.

So, the bottom line is, how can you avoid an increase in car insurance rates after a drunk driving incident? These rate increases will only come into effect if you want your driving privileges back. Avoiding these costs will force you to take public transportation of find alternative methods of getting around. The best policy to avoid insurance premium increases is to simply don’t get behind the wheel intoxicated.

Free-lance writer with a passion for Writing and Research.
Amanda Rodriguez
Car Insurance Rate Comparison

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Every story begins the same way. I was out with some friends, we had a couple of drinks, and on the way home I was pulled over by the cops. From there, it usually goes one of two ways, either “he asked me some questions and let me go,” or “he asked me some questions, asked me to get out of the car and after doing some tests arrested me for DUI.” In some cases, the people may have had exactly the same amount to drink. So why did one person get arrested and one person let go? That is what this article will try to explain.

Let me begin by saying I don’t condone drunk driving. It is dangerous to the driver, their passengers, and others on the road, and it should not be done. But, it is possible to drink and drive without being drunk. Where this line is crossed no one really knows for sure (even the breath test doesn’t measure if you are able to drive a car soundly, it just measures the amount of alcohol in your blood or breath). There may be instances where a person has had a drink but is not too impaired to drive a vehicle. It is at those times that this article attempts to address how best to deal with police officers. If you are too drunk to drive, I hope you are arrested for DUI and taken off the road.

Also, before I really get into this, let me remind you that this is not legal advice that should be relied upon without independent consultation with a lawyer. I am from Seattle, Washington, so much of this will be based on what I know of Seattle DUI cases and laws. They may or may not apply in your state, and they may or may not apply even in Seattle. The state of the law changes fast enough that you should consult an attorney before making any important decisions. The information here is helpful guidance to understand where the police are coming from and how best to deal with them.

The first thing to understand is that when the police pulled you over, unless you were really drunk and weaving all over the place, they at that time do not have the authority to arrest you for DUI. At that time you have probably violated some minor traffic law that lets them pull you over and check you out. Although it doesn’t seem fair, and it probably isn’t (since if you aren’t exhibiting symptoms of drunk driving there is no reason to get you off the road), it is allowed. You just have to deal with it. With this in mind, as the officer begins to approach you it is important to focus on providing him with as little information as possible that will lead him to believe you may be under the influence of alcohol.

Now, I am not suggesting that you lie. But, just as the officer has pulled you over for a traffic violation in hopes of busting you for drunk driving (using the rules to his advantage), you can take actions that are well within the law that benefit you. The first thing you must do is be courteous and respectful to the officer. He has a right to ask you for identification and proof of insurance. Give him that information. After that, everything you tell him is at your discretion.

So what do you do if he asks if you’ve been drinking? Easy. Simply say “I would prefer not to answer that question,” and leave it at that. Now, does that make you look guilty? Absolutely not. What it looks like is you know how to exercise your constitutional rights. And don’t worry about what the cop thinks. If he’s asking you questions about your night, he’s already got the idea in his head of giving you a DUI and is just looking for enough information to justify probable cause to arrest you.

What is probable cause? It is a reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime. Violating a traffic violation doesn’t provide enough information to constitute probable cause for drunk driving. Why give him the information he needs?

So, the officer has heard you decline his questions and asks you to step out of the car to take field sobriety tests. At this point, I would consider flatly telling him you’d like to call your attorney to see if you should consent. In Seattle, for example, field sobriety tests are viewed as a search, and because of that, you can decline them with no repercussions. That is important, as it gives the officer less information to work with. And remember, just don’t talk to the guy. At some point he has to let you go or arrest you for DUI without (probably) enough evidence to constitute probable cause.

Remember, it is important to consult a lawyer before making any important decisions regarding a DUI case. In writing this article, I consulted a Seattle DUI lawyer and discussed these possibilities. But in any event, this general information should help you determine what to do if you are stopped by the police and questioned for DUI.

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It may go by a slightly different name from state to state, but it’s universally considered a crime for a driver to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Depending on which state you’re in, it can go by the title driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating under the influence (OUI), and driving under the influence (DUI).

Regardless of the title, these laws make it a crime to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol when certain conditions are met. One such condition is that the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely is undermined by drugs, including alcohol, street drugs, prescribed medication, and even antihistamines. Also, the driver must meet certain impairment levels as established by each state. This is often called the blood-alcohol concentration, or BAC.

It’s common for a law enforcement officer to stop a vehicle if it’s suspected that the driver is impaired in some way. The officer usually conducts what’s called a field sobriety test. The officer may also ask for a chemical test of some kind. Again, the process will depend on the particular state.

The field sobriety test may include physical tests like having the driver walk in a straight line. The test may also be cognitive, like reciting the alphabet in reverse.

The chemical test done at the time of the incident may involve a “Breathalyzer”. This device measures the blood-alcohol-concentration of the driver. Chemical tests can also be done at a hospital and include blood or urine tests.

Although many states allow the driver to elect which test they’d like to take, all states have what is known as “implied consent”. This simply means that when an individual accepts a driver’s licenses, which is considered a privilege, the driver is giving his or her consent to being tested if it is reasonably believed that the driver may be impaired. Also, if the driver refuses to take a sobriety test or a chemical test, implied consent laws impose stiff penalties. These include mandatory driver’s license suspension.

If convicted of driving under the influence, criminal penalties may ensue. The consequences of a DUI conviction include jail time, community service, fines and probation. The severity of the punishment varies from state to state. Other factors may increase the severity of DUI penalties. For example, a history of DUI convictions or having a child in the vehicle may make the punishment harsher.  Additionally, if the driver was simultaneously committing another moving violation, the penalty is often more severe.

If a loved one is arrested for driving under the influence, it is wise to find an attorney skilled at DUI defense cases. The penalties of driving under the influence include jail time and a suspended license. One of the primary tasks of the DUI defense attorney is to analyze the evidence involved. This includes the field test and the results of any chemical tests that may have been conducted. Choosing an experienced lawyer may make the difference between a severe and a less harsh penalty.

If you are looking for an Attorney or Lawyer in Phoenix Arizona, visit: Phonenix DUI attorney

To find a DUI attorney in Las Vegas: Las Vegas DUI Attorney

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The AZ DUI laws provide for two ways that someone can be prosecuted for drunk driving in Arizona. The first is if a police officer finds that your driving is erratic and can establish that you have had any amount of alcohol, illegal drugs, or some types of prescription drugs in your system. The second is a “per se” assumption of drunk driving if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.

An arrest, under AZ DUI laws, triggers two separate actions.

The first is an administrative action filed by the Motor Vehicles Department. If you don’t request a hearing immediately, this bureaucracy can suspend your driver’s license for 90 days without any further proceedings.

The second action is handled in criminal court. You have the right to a six person jury. You can also waive this right and proceed with the Judge handling the entire case.

A first time DUI with a blood alcohol level under .15% results in a mandatory 10 day jail sentence. The Judge may, at his discretion, suspend 9 of these days if you complete an alcohol and drug screening program and participate in the recommended treatment. There are also fines and fees totaling $750.

A felony (third time) DUI conviction requires a minimum of four months in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines. If you own the vehicle you were driving when arrested, you will forfeit your vehicle as well.

If you are driving with a child under the age of 15 at the time of your arrest, the consequences are quite severe. You will get jail time in addition to enhanced financial penalties.

As you can see   AZ DUI Laws are quite severe. If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, you should get a lawyer and check out the information at http://www.CriminalDefenseResources.com right away.

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Although Governor Janet Napolitano signed the bill into law after it was approved overwhelmingly in the House and Senate. However, it was met with some resistance. Opponents felt it unfairly penalized those who were otherwise responsible citizens.

One of the most significant changes is the mandatory 45 day jail sentence for first timers that are found to have a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit or higher. The current limit is .08%. The new laws classify them as “super extreme” offenders when chemical tests reveal a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of .20% or more. Incidentally, refusing to submit to the test, whether convicted or not, results in an automatic one year license suspension.

As tough as that seems, jail time is only the beginning. The newly convicted “super extreme” drunk drivers will be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. At one time, only repeat offenders were required to have it installed.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, this mandatory piece of equipment is designed to connect a breath analyzer to a motor vehicle’s ignition system.

The ignition interlock system, referred to as an IID, will only allow the vehicle to start if the monitor shows the blood alcohol concentration to be below a predetermined and preset level. The ignition is simply disabled if the reading exceeds the specified number.

The IID must be installed and in use for a minimum of twelve months after the DUI conviction and judges have no authority to waive or reduce that period of time. They can, however, order additional time for the device to remain in use.

Because the penalties are so stiff, Arizona attorneys are gearing up to defend more first time offenders in court. Prior to last year, clients didn’t necessarily face jail time, especially for a first offense. They were usually told to expect warnings, fines and probation, or what amounted to little more than a slap on the wrist. Now they expect many will want to present a challenge rather than automatically plead guilty or no contest.

The new law is also written to expedite the whole DUI process for law enforcement. It allows the Motor Vehicle Department to examine their own records for previous DUI offenses. Rather than waiting for the courts to send them, they can now effectively cut through the red tape and reduce turnaround time.

It’s a sobering thought for many Arizona residents and rightfully so. In 2006, there were 315 lives lost and over 59,000 injuries as a result of alcohol related crashes. The economic loss is estimated at upwards of $547 million. Those statistics and the new laws should make anyone think twice before driving and drinking.

Source: http://www.azdot.gov

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Though some find it tempting to represent themselves in a drunk driving legal case, having a competent attorney, familiar with drunk driving cases is really a necessity.  There’s often a chance the case may be dismissed depending on the circumstances.

If searching for a particular attorney for this situation there are state-wide, country-wide, city-wide and zip-code search functionalities online and off.

It’s always so much better not to get in that predicament in the first place.  Bear in mind that if you are convicted in a DUI case, you may lose your license, or get your license and car impounded. You may have to pay a heavy fine or you may land in prison.

The arrests in DUI cases are rising because of new, more stringent laws and regulations that have been introduced in many states.

If you still must select a DUI attorney, be careful.  Select a competent attorney who has some good experience in DUI cases and he will be the best defense tool for you.

Drunk driving cases are also called Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) etc.

It’s very possible that your alcohol concentration will be measured by way of blood, breath, urine or saliva at the time of arrest.  You may be charged with offense of intoxication, impairment or influence by the law depending on the version of the investigating officer and the eyewitnesses.

Your attorney can explain the consequences to you after assessing your case so you will be prepared to defend yourself against those consequences. The laws vary from one place to another and it may be difficult for you to know the local “law of the land”.  He can help you understand the possibility of license problems, imprisonment, community service etc.  He/She will let you know if there are any special laws regarding underage drunk driving and BAC above the limit.

A drunk driving attorney will be able to manage the whole process for you.  All the proceedings in drunk driving cases may be frustrating and time consuming.  But that’s the price you pay.  Fortunately you have legal assistance able to represent you in court.  Perhaps the technicalities will help you to do it smoothly and come out with lesser punishment.

Learn more about stats, arrests, accidents and legal ramifications involved with drunk driving. http://www.drivingdrunk.org

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