Driving drunk, high, or even tired can be a recipe for disaster. Not only do you risk being arrested but you risk being involved in a serious accident. With marijuana laws in flux, police agencies across the nation are on the look-out for people who might be high behind the wheel, and the makers of a new phone app hope to help smokers avoid getting pulled over and possibly charged with a serious crime. [Read more…]
Will Drunk Driving Laws Change to Criminalize a Single Drink?
Across the country, you can be arrested and jailed for having a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater. Generally, this equals about four drinks in an hour for an average 180 pound man. But federal officials have decided this isn’t good enough; they’ve recommended that all states lower their legal limit to .05%, an estimated two drinks in an hour’s time. Their error isn’t in wanting to keep people safe, but in thinking that criminalizing everyone who has a few drinks will result achieve that goal. [Read more…]
Feds Sanction States on Drunk Driving Laws—Who’s really in charge?
Technically, the federal government won’t regulate what happens when you are caught driving drunk. They won’t write the drunk driving laws used to prosecute people in various states across the country—that’s the business of the states. But, that’s technically. Though they won’t write or enforce those particular laws where states have clear jurisdiction they will tell the states exactly what needs to be in them. They’ll do it by threatening them where it matters most—in the pocketbook. [Read more…]
Drugs, Alcohol Frequently Involved in Car Accident Fatalities
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released new data this week showing that more than half of drivers killed in car accidents in the United States had drugs or alcohol in their systems. And for those who survive, there is often much more at stake than injuries and pain—there are criminal charges. [Read more…]
DUI With Child Neglect
A woman in Virginia is charged with DUI and child neglect after allegedly driving drunk with her child in the car. [Read more…]
Lawmakers Consider Controversial DUI Technology Research
Lawmakers are considering legislation that would provide funding to research “widespread deployment of in-vehicle technology” to prevent drunk driving. Similar to ignition interlock devices being used now, some supporters of the research would like to see such alcohol sensors being offered as optional equipment in all new vehicles. But according to Politico, opponents are worried the research would be a slippery slope. [Read more…]
Kentucky City Commissioner Charged With Drunk Driving
A City Commissioner in Kentucky charged with Drunk Driving has pleaded guilty, after an incident where he ran through two stop lights. [Read more…]
Oregon To Require Ignition Interlock Devices for First Time Offenders
In a continuing nationwide trend, people convicted of drunk driving in the state of Oregon will likely now be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in their vehicle, even on a first time offense. House Bill 3075 has passed the approval of lawmakers and now sits on Governor John Kitzhaber’s desk awaiting his signature. While current laws only require the device for repeat offenders, some lawmakers believe this is the best way to prevent repeat offenses. [Read more…]
Congressman Looking to Stop Drunk Driving By Requiring Alcohol Sensors in New Cars
In an attempt to stop all drunk driving, a new bill in Congress would fund development of alcohol detecting sensors in vehicles, to be required in all new vehicles. Congressman Heath Shuler (R-NC) has introduced legislation that would authorize funding for the ROADS SAFE Act, which stands for Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-related Fatalities Everywhere. [Read more…]
Drunk Driving Registry On The Horizon?
We already have sex offender registries and some cities have gun offender registries as well. But if lawmakers in Maine get their way, there will soon be a similar system to identify drunk drivers in that state. If passed in Maine, it could set off a nationwide trend. But would such a system be worth the time and money spent on it? [Read more…]
