Drunk Driving Prevention

It is common knowledge that drinking and driving is a crime with serious penalties. It is also common knowledge that it is dangerous to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Yet every day, almost 30 people in the United States are fatally injured in a motor vehicle accident that involved a drunk driver. Due to this shocking statistic, states continue to enforce stricter DUI laws and penalties and look to drunk driving prevention measures to deter citizens from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol and/or drugs.

Planning Ahead Of Time

One of the most effective ways to prevent drinking and driving is to have a plan before you know you are going to be drinking. Taking public transportation, calling a taxi or enlisting a designated driver are all ways you can prevent drinking and driving. Other safety measures include wearing your seat belt and having a vehicle with airbags. Since alcohol impairs judgment and reasoning, it is imperative that you come up with a solid plan regarding how you will get to and from where you need to go after you’ve been drinking.

Legal Criteria For Drunk Driving

To help police officers determine whether or not a person is considered DUI, each state has a “per se” violation. This means that if your blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches .08% or more, you are considered to be DUI. A DUI “per se” has nothing to do with a person’s level of intoxication--it’s simply a limit imposed by the government. On the other hand, you can be arrested for DUI if your BAC is below .08% and the officer observes signs of impairment. This may include failing to yield or swerving out of your designated lane.

During a DUI investigation, you may be asked to take a chemical test or field sobriety tests. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a lot of emotions and stress, it is important to seek help from a counselor or psychologist that can listen to your needs, especially if alcohol is an underlying concern.