DUI DWI

DWI/DUI crimes are defined as driving while intoxicated for DWI, and driving under the influence for DUI. This is not limited to consuming alcohol and driving this can include prescription drugs or any number of other mind altering substances. Also this is not limited to driving a motor vehicle but can include operating a bicycle, boat, airplane, wheelchair or even a horse. In the state of Arizona the BAC blood alcohol content is 0.08 and for the first offense the criminal is looking at no less than a 90 suspension of their driving privilege and no more than 1 year. In Arizona the vehicle can also be forfeited for a multiple offenses, which means the authorities seize the offender’s vehicle and most likely sell it. Arizona also participates in the interlock program that requires a device be installed in the offender’s vehicle and they must breathe into it to start the vehicle. The offender pays the 100-200 dollar installation fee and monthly fee of around 70 dollars to have this device in place. I think this sounds like a wonderful deterrent. Because administrative license suspension laws are independent of criminal procedures and are invoked right after arrest, they've been found to be more effective than traditional post-conviction sanctions. Administrative license suspension laws are in place in 41 states and the District of Columbia. A better solution to prevent these crimes may be to increase penalties and be harder on first time offenders. I think regardless of what measures we take people will always make bad choices and drinking and driving is a very common thing for some people that they do even on a daily basis. Also with the growing popularity of pill popping and recreational use of pain medicine it increases the amount of drivers that may be under the influence and behind the wheel.