DUI information is widely spread throughout the U.S. population to ensure that drivers understand the dangers of drinking and driving. Additionally, senior DUI information attempts to prevent the consequences of DUIs from affecting senior drivers. Most drunk driving information focuses on the risks and dangers of impaired driving, and emphasizes programs meant to better identify drunk drivers and maintain safe roads. Senior drivers must be responsible for their actions and resist partaking in any substance that may reduce mobility or coordination while operating a motor vehicle. Strict DUI laws prohibit the consumption of alcohol or any intoxicating constituent, and permit local law enforcement officers to stop any driver suspected of intoxication. DUI consequences resulting from the violation of these laws can be severely limiting, and may depend on drivers’ ages. Although the risk of involvement in a drug or alcohol-related crash at any Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level is greater for younger drivers, senior drivers must still be careful of DUIs. To learn how being charged with DUI offenses can impact seniors, review the following sections.
What is a DUI?
Information on DUIs is based on BAC levels and the definition of a DUI. According to most DUI laws, drivers must submit to breathalyzer or blood tests when asked by a certified law enforcement officer, and may face harsher consequences for higher BAC levels and multiple DUI convictions. A DUI, also known as a DWI, is defined as the act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating drugs or alcohol.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declared that it is illegal for U.S. residents to drive with BAC levels of 0.08 or higher in every state. All U.S. states have also adopted the same legal drinking age of 21 years old. DUI violations can result from driving over the BAC limit or under the age of 21. However, some states have additional restrictions on BAC levels. Though, senior drunk driving information implies that seniors’ abilities to metabolize alcohol and other intoxicants may decrease with age and create dangerous situations. Therefore, senior drivers must carefully monitor their alcohol intakes and be aware that, despite their previous drinking habits, they may no longer be capable of driving safely after consuming a few drinks. Some DUI laws may address this added risk for senior drivers, and help regulate states’ standards.
What are DUI penalties for seniors?
DUI consequences may vary, and are determined at sentencing hearings. Although some preventive measures seek to avoid the prevalence of DUIs, altogether, DUI penalties are another means of reducing drunk driving occurrences. Since the penalties may be severe and are amplified following each subsequent conviction, the penalties serve as a deterrent for some drivers and will remain on driving records. Drunk driving fines, license suspensions or revocations, the requirement of SR22 insurance and jail time are all possible penalties of the offense, but the length of suspensions and jail sentences may not exceed states’ maximum periods.
Drunk driving charges not only affect drivers’ records, though. They may also lead to deaths and other health complications. Seniors charged with a DUI may face more serious penalties if a drunk driving incident caused an accident and injured or killed another driver. While the health effects of DUIs may still be realities for younger drivers, senior DUI consequences may be more life-threatening than those for younger drivers. Because seniors are already at an increased risk of suffering from a car crash, adding alcohol to the equation may result in the deaths of the senior drivers and other drivers on the road. Senior drivers are encouraged to practice safe driving and to never break DUI laws to protect their driving records, themselves and other drivers.
How to Recover From a Senior DUI Charge
Understanding DUI information can help senior drivers recover from convictions and regain their driving privileges. For instance, drunk driving information informs drivers that they must follow all rules listed on their traffic tickets to reinstate their licenses (if possible) and to continue driving their vehicles. These rules often require drivers to install ignition interlocks or other devices that monitor drivers’ BAC levels prior to starting their vehicles to ensure they cannot drive while intoxicated, again. However, after a DUI violation, some seniors may need to request special permission to commute to work or to care for children if their licenses have been suspended or a device is not sufficient, according to state traffic laws. Seniors may also be required to participate in driver safety courses or alcohol education courses to continue driving, following the DUI charge or conviction.
Questions such as, “Is DUI a felony?” and, “Is DUI a criminal offense?” must be answered and fully understood prior to recovering from a DUI. If seniors’ charges are classified as felonies, then they may face extra issues.
Additionally, to reject a DUI charge, seniors may choose to contest the charges in court. Seniors should weigh the consequences of accepting the DUIs or denying the DUI offenses prior to contesting the charges. Because a DUI violation can severely impact seniors’ abilities to drive, and will remain on their records, they must learn how they may recover from these violations.