You probably have heard about DWI and DUI, but many people forget what it truly means. There is usually a confusion about the difference between the two which could be enhanced on the variations between its differing jurisdictions.
Understanding DUI
When it comes to DUI, it means Driving Under the Influence which is associated to people who drives while they are drunk, but it can be applied also for people who are under the influence of drugs or medications. You also will find some states that provides a first offense first, which means that those who commits the crime of DUI while they drive a motor vehicle at a highway with blood-alcohol concentration of .08{d401a85e0109a53763cd26ec289d8d88fb9828946f23e8a355aa9e652695f6de}, regardless whether they are visibly impaired.
In a lot of states, the defendant needs to drive a vehicle for them to be convicted of driving drunk, but this actually is changing. Some of the states however use phrases such as “being in physical control of the vehicle” or “operating a vehicle” so they could broaden up the situation to where one could be convicted with DUI like sitting in the driver’s seat with its keys on its ignition even when the car is not moving.
Understanding DWI
DWI is mostly state-specific. For some states, DWI actually means “driving while intoxicated” and is in fact a synonym for DUI. On some cases, DWI means “driving while impaired” to where any impairment can be a reason for criminal charges, which includes driving while physically incapable of controlling the vehicle safely and driving while falling asleep and others more. To make this simple, the elements are actually the same with the DUI, but drugs and alcohol is not involved in the process.
Either a DUI or a DWI means that the arresting officer has a reason to think that the driver is so impaired to be able to drive. If you think that you are impaired or is simply not capable of driving because of intoxication, drug use or other form of reasons where you are not capable of travelling, you should look for other ways to put off the trip until you are not impaired.
If ever you were criminally charged with DUI or DWI or have fears of being liable for your actions while you are impaired, it is best that you contact an attorney who can help you on the case you are facing. If ever you have been injured by another person who is considered to be a suspect of being impaired, you should consider calling the local law enforcement to be able to pursue a claim against the driver for the damages as well as injuries that you have obtained.