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driving under the influence

n. operating a motor vehicle while impaired due to the consumption of drugs or alcohol

Wikipedia
Driving under the influence

Driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI), is the crime of driving a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other drugs (including recreational drugs and those prescribed by physicians), to a level that renders the driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. People who receive multiple DUI offenses are often people struggling with alcoholism or alcohol dependence.

Traffic accidents are predominantly caused by driving under the influence; for people in Europe between the age of 15 and 29, DUI is one of the main causes of mortality. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration alcohol-related crashes cause approximately $37 billion in damages annually. DUI and alcohol-related crashes produce an estimated $45 billion in damages every year. Between attorney fees, fines, court fees, ignition interlock devices, and DMV fees a DUI charge could cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

With alcohol, a drunk driver's level of intoxication is typically determined by a measurement of blood alcohol content or BAC; but this can also be expressed as a breath test measurement, often referred to as a BrAC. A BAC or BrAC measurement in excess of the specific threshold level, such as 0.08%, defines the criminal offense with no need to prove impairment. In some jurisdictions, there is an aggravated category of the offense at a higher BAC level, such as 0.12%, 0.15% or 0.25%. In many jurisdictions, police officers can conduct field tests of suspects to look for signs of intoxication. The US state of Colorado has a maximum blood content of THC for drivers who have consumed cannabis.

In most countries, sobriety checkpoints, driver's licence suspensions, fines and prison sentences for DUI offenders are used as a deterrent. Anyone who is convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs can be heavily fined and/or given a prison sentence. In some jurisdictions, impaired drivers who injure or kill another person while driving may face heavier penalties. In addition, many countries have prevention campaigns that use advertising to make people aware of the danger of driving while impaired and the potential fines and criminal charges, discourage impaired driving, and encourage drivers to take taxis or public transport home after using alcohol or drugs. In some jurisdictions, the bar that served an impaired driver may face civil liability. In some countries, non-profit advocacy organizations, a well-known example being Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) run their own publicity campaigns against drunk driving.

Driving Under the Influence (song)

Driving Under the Influence is the debut single by Colin McFarlane. It reached number 18 on the UK Top 40 Singles Chart in 1989. This is MacFarlane's only Top 40 entry. The song appeared on the 1989 album Col Sings.

Category:1989 singles

Usage examples of "driving under the influence".

While the Iraqi claimed he was never in any bar on NW 10th Street, a co-worker interviewed by KFOR said he had drank with him at a bar on NW 10th and Indiana, and in fact he was arrested for driving under the influence around the corner, at NW 8th and Blackwielder in early June.

He had a long list of traffic violations, including speeding, driving so as to endanger, and driving under the influence.

Someone caught driving under the influence is, in my No Spin Zone, a criminal.

With Ernie pounding away, I doubt if a case of driving under the influence had ever sounded so deadly.

And I did have other cases pending -- a driving under the influence, a codicil to a will and a continuing and bitter property-line dispute, all of which were in need of more immediate attention.

As he was trying to get to Virginia, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The second case was worse, driving under the influence of alcohol, third offense, along with reckless endangerment and failure to observe posted stop signs.