| Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While | | | | number of DUI convictions are a primary |
| Intoxicated (DWI) laws vary according to the | | | | determinant in the severity of the penalty. Initial |
| state of the offense. The most important factor | | | | offenses may carry a penalty of a fine and |
| surrounding any of these laws is that the | | | | mandatory attendance at a DUI traffic school or |
| repercussions are generally steep and severe. Due | | | | seminar. Repeat offenders may be subject to |
| to the rash of drunken driving fatalities in the past | | | | more severe penalties up to and including |
| half century or so, most states have enacted | | | | permanent removal of his or her driver's license. |
| harsh penalties for anyone caught drinking and | | | | Generally license suspension and revocation occurs |
| driving. | | | | for repeat offenders. Most states have |
| The DUI laws of each state define a level at | | | | implemented a comprehensive system of |
| which an individual is considered intoxicated. | | | | monitoring the driving privileges for an individual |
| Although these levels may vary slightly, for the | | | | who has had his or her license suspended but who |
| most part, this level does not exceed .08 blood | | | | has been granted limited driving rights. These |
| alcohol content (BAC). Any individual caught driving | | | | individuals must generally employ the use of a |
| with a BAC higher than the state has defined as | | | | breathalyzer system that has been installed in |
| the point of intoxication may be subject to fines, | | | | their vehicle and that locks the ignition if the |
| license suspension or revocation, and even jail | | | | individual fails the breathalyzer requirements. |
| time. The severity of the offense and the | | | | |