DWI

DWI or Driving While Intoxicated is a criminal offense in many jurisdictions around the world. It refers to the act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, including recreational drugs, to a level that renders the driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely.

Definition

The specific criminal offense is usually called driving under the influence (DUI), and in some jurisdictions, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). In some jurisdictions, there is also an offense called driving while impaired (DWI) or operating while intoxicated (OWI). These laws also apply to the operation of aircraft, boats, farm machinery, and even bicycles in some states.

Legal Limits

In most jurisdictions, there is a specific level of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at which a person is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. This is often expressed as a percentage of alcohol in the blood, such as 0.08% in the United States and Canada.

Penalties

Penalties for DWI vary widely among jurisdictions and can include fines, imprisonment, probation, community service, and mandatory alcohol education programs. In many jurisdictions, the penalties for DWI increase for repeat offenses.

Prevention

Many jurisdictions have implemented measures to prevent DWI, such as public education campaigns, sobriety checkpoints, and ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders.

See Also

• Drunk driving in the United States
• Driving under the influence
• Blood alcohol content
• Sobriety checkpoints
• Ignition interlock device

DWI Resources
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