DUI, DWI and Other Acronyms You Need to Know

In every state, laws are put in place to prevent a person from drinking alcohol and/or taking drugs and then operating a motor vehicle. Depending on jurisdiction, the specific criminal offense may be called something different.

DUI Definition

You’ve probably heard the term DUI before, but what does this stand for? D.U.I. stands for driving under the influence. This is simply the act of operating a motor vehicle after you have consumed alcohol or other drugs to the point where your mental and motor skills are affected. The phrase “under the influence” means that you are under the “control” of drugs and/or alcohol.

There is also a third DUI offense, which makes it illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle while under the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs. The drugs found in your system, which have caused or contributed to impairment don’t need to be illegal – they can be prescribed or over-the-counter medication.

DWI Description

DWI is an acronym for driving while intoxicated. Some states will charge you with a DWI if they have reason to believe you were operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Intoxication is when alcohol influences your mental or motor skills. Common signs of intoxication can include slurred speech, impaired balance, poor coordination, flushed face, reddened eyes, reduced inhibition and uncharacteristic behavior.

Each state has set a blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of .08%. This means that it is illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC over .08%. Penalties for going over the legal limit vary from state to state. To test your blood alcohol content, you will be asked to take a chemical test. The three options are blood, breath and urine. While you cannot legally be forced to submit to a chemical test, you must be aware that there are strict penalties in place for refusal.

The states that use the acronym DWI are: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Texas and West Virginia.

Other Acronyms