It is no big secret that it is illegal to drink and drive, but what many drivers do not know is all of the details that this rule entails. As a driver, it is always a good idea to get familiar with the rules of the road from every aspect--even when it comes to the hows and whys of being charged with a DUI. There are several facts that you should know about DUIs as a regular driver. Here are a few that you should keep in mind to ensure you are never facing charges.
1. A DUI charge can originate from different things in different states.
While almost all states recognize alcohol intoxication as a form of driving under the influence, there are differences in the law when it comes to marijuana and other drugs according to what state you are in. For example, in Colorado a DUI charge can mean that you were showing just minor signs of being intoxicated whether or not you had alcohol in your system. As another example, some states can charge you with a DUI even if you are just sitting in your car with the ignition turned off.
2. You can be charged with a DUI even if you seem to be driving just fine.
If you are pulled over and have alcohol in your vehicle and were not showing signs in your driving behavior to indicate you were intoxicated, you could still be charged with a DUI in some cases. If your blood alcohol level is beyond the legal limit and you were driving fine, you could be slapped with what is commonly referred to as a DUI per se. Being charged with a DUI per se can mean the same outcome in court as a DUI in which you were found to be driving recklessly.
3. If you are under the age of 21, the same legal blood alcohol level may not apply.
Even though the legal blood alcohol level in all 50 states is .08, if you are under the age of 21, these same rules may not apply. In some locations, you could be charged with a DUI even if there is hardly anything in your system at all when you are under the age of 21. Regulations are stricter when it comes to young drivers. Therefore, just a small amount of alcohol could easily be enough to land you with a DUI charge. Contact a DUI lawyer for more information.
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