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DUI = Driving Under the Influence - this includes alcohol; illegal and prescription drugs.

Remember: It takes the liver one hour to oxidize one drink of alcohol.

Only time can help the sobering process

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Auto-Related News, Trends, & Tips - I Drive Safely

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Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), is dangerous and a leading cause of injuries and accidents on the road. DUI is also called driving while intoxicated, or DWI and both can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.

A DUI of any kind can significantly affect your insurance rates, driver points, and the status of your driver's license. In some cases, a DUI charge is punishable by a jail or prison sentence.

When is a DUI a Felony Charge?

DUI laws differ in each state, but in most cases, a person receiving a first-time DUI conviction is charged with a misdemeanor. However, certain conditions at the time of the violation can increase this to a felony, including:

Injury. If someone is injured or killed in an accident involving an intoxicated driver, the driver can be charged with a felony. If injuries from an accident are not the fault of the intoxicated driver, for example, an intoxicated driver is rear-ended by another driver, and someone is injured, the intoxicated driver may be charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony offense.

Elevated Blood Alcohol. Some states elevate a DUI to felony charges if blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds the .08 percent now set as the legal DUI limit in all 50 states. In most cases, felony charges are applied if BAC is over 0.16 percent.

Violation of Other Laws. Persons arrested for a DUI while driving under a revoked, suspended, or restricted license can be charged with a felony DUI offense.

DUI Involving Child Passengers: Many states have increased DUI laws to a felony if children are present in a vehicle. Penalties are exceptionally high if children are under the age of 15.

Prior DUI convictions: Depending on the state and length of time since any prior convictions, a DUI can be elevated to a felony as a result of a prior DUI conviction.

Getting Arrested for DUI

A DUI arrest is always serious, whether charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Upon conviction or a guilty plea, most people lose their driver's license for a specified time and are charged fines and court fees. Repeat offenses often result in jail time.

When a person is arrested for DUI, they are often required to undergo a medical evaluation to determine the extent of their alcohol or drug problems.

Frequently, a DUI also results in a requirement to attend an accredited alcohol education program for several weeks or months. In other cases, a DUI can result in mandatory treatment in an alcohol treatment program.

Insurance companies charge higher premiums for people with a DUI conviction. Special SR-22 insurance may be required after a person gets their license reinstated. Premiums may go up as much as several hundred percent for three years or more.

Some states now also mandate an ignition interlock device be installed on vehicles driven by persons with a DUI conviction. These devices also come with monitoring and installation fees.

If you drink, do not drive and risk a DUI felony conviction, or worse.

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Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), is dangerous and a leading cause of injuries and accidents on the road. DUI is also called driving while intoxicated, or DWI and both can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.

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Sean Carter was an athlete and model before a drunk driver took his ability to talk and walk. Sean and his mom Jenny spread the message to never drink and drive. Learn more about their inspirational story at http://www.FacesOfDrunkDriving.com. Help spread the message by sharing this video.

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What happens if you refuse an Alcohol test?

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What happens if you refuse an Alcohol test?

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The requirement to submit to chemical testing when arrested for a DUI and the penalties for a refusal.

An investigating officer will often ask a suspected impaired driver to take a breath or blood test to determine the amount of alcohol or drugs in the driver's system. The driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or the concentration of drugs in the driver's blood is routinely used by prosecutors to prove a DUI in court. Refusal to submit to testing will have both civil and criminal consequences.

Implied Consent in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's implied consent law states that any person who drives in Pennsylvania is deemed to have given consent to one or more tests of the person's breath or blood. However, this requirement applies only if the driver is legally detained for suspicion of driving under the influence. Even if the driver refuses testing, the arresting officer can still apply for a search warrant to obtain a blood sample.

Consequences of Refusal

License suspension. If the driver refuses to submit to testing, the officer will notify the Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT will then impose a 12-month license suspension, which runs consecutively with any other suspensions (a DUI conviction will also lead to license suspension). The suspension will be 18 months if the driver has a prior refusal suspension, a prior DUI conviction, or any similar prior offense. Drivers can contest the suspension by requesting a hearing.

Ignition interlock devices. Prior to license reinstatement, offenders must install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID) for one year. However, by installing the IID after serving half of the required suspension period, the offender can regain driving privileges (with the IID) early.

Reinstatement fee. After serving the suspension period and holding the IID for one year, the driver can apply for reinstatement. For a first refusal, the driver must pay a reinstatement fee of $500. This fee is $1,000 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third offense.

Criminal penalties. It isn't a crime to refuse testing, but a driver who refuses a lawful breath test can face additional penalties if convicted of DUI. A DUI that involves a breath test refusal will usually include higher fines, jail time, and driver's license penalties.

Evidentiary uses. As test results are used to prove a DUI in court, some drivers refuse testing with the intent to limit the available evidence showing they were driving under the influence. However, the fact that a driver refused testing is admissible in court and can be considered by the trier of fact (the judge or jury) in deciding guilt.

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Pennsylvania’s Implied Consent Law and Refusing Alcohol Testing

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License suspensions and reinstatement fines for refusing blood alcohol testing after a DUI arrest in Pennsylvania.

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What is the ARD Program?  DUI Attorney Harrisburg PA

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An ignition interlock system uses a breath sample to detect whether the driver has consumed alcohol. If so, the vehicle cannot be started. The ignition interlock system is installed after the license suspension has been served. It cost about $1,200 per year to install, maintain and monitor

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IF ACCEPTED INTO A ARD PROGRAM

Required to attend 12 ½ hours at the Alcohol Highway Safety School.

Enroll in a drug and/or alcohol treatment

Community service- 150  hours

Will lose your license for up to 90 days

Be under court supervision for 6 months

Be fined from $300 to $5,000

Be responsible for all fees.

The total cost of ARD has been estimated to be $2,500, excluding attorney fees

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Open Containers Laws- Illegal in Every State

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It’s against the Open Container Law to have opened alcohol in a vehicle, whether you’re driving, parked, or riding as a passenger.