What Is Driving Under the Influence (DUI)?
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is when a person operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): “Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes… that’s one person every 50 minutes.” Due to the dangers and potential fatality it poses to both the driver and others on the road, it is considered a serious offense. DUI laws vary by jurisdiction but generally involve legal limits for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or impairment by drugs.
While policies vary by state, penalties can include fines, license suspension or revocation, mandatory substance abuse education or treatment programs, and sometimes imprisonment. Repeat offenders often face more stringent punishments, with the goal of deterring individuals from driving while impaired. Some states have strict “zero tolerance” policies for underage drivers, while others may impose harsher penalties for high BAC levels or multiple offenses.
While critics argue that overly harsh penalties may disproportionately affect certain demographics or discourage individuals from seeking help, the benefits of stringent DUI enforcement include safer roadways and decreased instances of impaired driving-related accidents.
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States With the Best And Worst Drivers
The U.S. Northeast and Hawaii Have the Lowest Traffic Incident Rates
As of the latest data from the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, the number of pedestrians killed by drivers in traffic accidents is at a recorded high, with 7,522 fatalities in 2022. The percentage of fatalities caused by drunk driving is also at a record high of 31.8% Overall, the U.S. has fallen behind other developed countries in preventing motor vehicle fatalities. The rate of car accident deaths in the U.S. is three times higher than in Canada and Australia, and more than five times higher than in Scandinavia, Switzerland or Britain.
Motor vehicles are the most common form of transportation in the U.S. — 75.4% of Americans commute to work using a car, truck or van, while only 2.5% used public transport. In total, drivers in the U.S. […]
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Road Trip Prep: What to Do to Avoid a Car Accident While on a Road Trip This Summer
Road trips can be exhilarating adventures for many of us. Just getting away for a weekend can be thrilling! But you may be surprised to learn that road trip accidents are more common than you think. And the best way to protect yourself from a car accident is to follow a few simple tips to minimize risks and ensure a safe journey.
Remember, if you do get into a car accident while on the road, one of your first calls should be to an experienced car accident lawyer from Munley Law. We will help you with your claim and make sure that you are properly compensated for your accident.
Let’s delve into the ways you can make your next road trip not only memorable but also safe.
Understanding the Common Causes of Road Trip Accidents
A summer road trip can be fun and a thrilling adventure. […]
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Pennsylvania’s new DUI law goes into effect
A new DUI law, Act 153, went into effect in Pennsylvania on December 23, 2018, introducing tougher penalties for repeat offenders.
What’s new about this law?
Under the new DUI law, individuals convicted of a third DUI with a BAC of .16 or higher, or those convicted of four (or more) DUI’s can be charged with a felony. Under the previous law, Pennsylvania was one of only a few states in which a third DUI was treated as a misdemeanor.
The new law also increases penalties for offenders who cause the death of another person while driving under the influence. Increased penalties include potential felony charges for repeat offenders, and an additional five years of prison time for someone who commits homicide by vehicle while driving without a license or with a suspended license.
Additionally, […]
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Could Your Prescription Medicine Affect Your Driving?
Prescription Drugs and Driving Can Be a Fatal Mix
You know that alcohol and illegal drugs can impair driving ability and cause dangerous accidents. But what about your prescription medication? Many people don’t realize that even medicine that is prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed can affect your driving.
It is an issue that concerns our car accident lawyers, as well as many lawmakers. The penalty for driving under the influence of medication carries the same penalty as a DUI in certain states. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that drugs were present in 43% of fatally injured drivers in 2017, more frequently than alcohol was present. This applies to some legal prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as illegal drugs.
Drugged driving is more complex than driving under the influence of alcohol for several reasons. […]
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Pennsylvania’s New DUI Law Goes Into Effect
What is the new DUI law in PA?
What is the new DUI law in PA?A new DUI law goes into effect in Pennsylvania this week, placing different restrictions on first-time DUI drivers.
Under the new law, first-time offenders will have to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles. Previously, ignition interlocks were only required after two or more offenses; first-time offenders would instead face a license suspension of one year.
What is an ignition interlock device?
An ignition interlock device is essentially a breathalizer that will prevent a car’s engine from starting until the driver blows into a tube to indicate that they are not under the influence. If the device detects alcohol, the vehicle will not start.
Those in favor of the new law say that the ignition interlock will be more effective in preventing drunk driving accidents and deaths, […]
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