Posts tagged "Drunk Driving"

A Utah woman made national news when she was pulled over and subsequently charged with DUI after having a single low-alcohol beer at lunch in 2016. Despite the fact that she did not slur her words nor were her eyes bloodshot, Snyderville police claimed she smelled of alcohol and administered a roadside test, which the officer said she failed. She was arrested, put in handcuffs and taken in for a blood sample, which was eventually found to be .01.

Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties here in Indiana have the dubious distinction of being the top in the nation for drunk driving fatalities. According to a recent review by the newspaper in Munster, 140 of the 373 fatal crashes in these counties (between 2010-2014) involved drunk driving. This is 35 percent, which is considerably higher than the rest of the state’s average of 25 percent and the national average of 28 percent.

Many remember (or don’t) the crazy times they had in college. Unfortunately, major binge drinking in young adulthood has proven to lead to such issues as drug and tobacco use, alcoholism, alcohol poisoning, liver damage, accidental injury or death, and even alterations to the developing brain structure.

The penalties for drunk driving are severe, and increase with the number of times that individuals are charged. Generally speaking, the first few OWI convictions will be considered a misdemeanor. That can change to a felony, however, which may result in a more severe punishment, including a prison sentence that can range from 6 months to 20 years. It also leads to higher fines, lengthier probations and other potential penalties. While OWI laws vary, there are some general guidelines.