Driving While Impaired

Share This
« Back to Glossary Index

Impaired driving mainly results from consuming alcohol and legal or illegal drugs

Most states consider illegal intoxication as that level of impairment where one cannot operate a motor vehicle safely. Most states have laws establishing presumptive levels of intoxication. In many states, that level is .08, measured by a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test.

Drunk driving can also be proved by the arresting officer’s observations and field sobriety tests.

Field sobriety tests include walking an imaginary straight line, observing if the driver’s speech is slurred or incoherent, testing the driver’s balance, and testing the driver’s dexterity.

Related Articles

Drunk Driving Investigations

May 17, 2021
Stopped, Detained, And Arrested for Drunk Driving A driver is said to be under the influence if, at the time of driving, the driver was so impaired by alcohol or drugs that the driver could not operate a motor vehicle safely. Range of DUI Charges and Penalties Depending on the state, the charges and convictions…
Read more →

DUI Laws in California: The Per Se Rule and Chemical Test Refusals

May 17, 2021
California Drunk Driving Laws California's drunk driving laws apply to the degree of impairment while operating a motor vehicle resulting from the consumption of alcohol and/or drug use. This article covers the DUI per se rule and how a driver's refusal to submit to a chemical test can impact their plea bargain and result in…
Read more →

DUI Probation Consequences: What You Need to Know

May 17, 2021
DUI Probation - Other Financial, Insurance, and Driving Restriction Consequences Rather than serving jail time for a drunk driving offense, judges can order the convicted defendant probation. However, probation has its own terms and conditions that must be strictly complied with, and which have its own financial, insurance, and driving restriction consequences depending on your…
Read more →

DUI Accidents: Criminal Liability and Civil Consequences

May 17, 2021
This article covers the resulting criminal liability and civil consequences of getting into an accident while driving in an impaired condition. Drunk Driving Traffic Accidents One of the key legal issues is the determination of whether the impaired driver was the actual cause of the accident. If so, the impaired driver faces severe penalties. Impaired…
Read more →

Hiring a DUI Attorney: Things You Need To Know

May 17, 2021
This article covers what you should know before retaining a drunk driving criminal defense attorney (DUI Attorney). We also examine what legal services DUI Attorneys provide and what they customarily charge for their services. Hiring A Drunk Driving Criminal Defense Attorney Typical Education of a Criminal Defense Lawyer Completion of Four Years of College Three…
Read more →

Affiliate disclosure

GotTrouble.org is a one-stop free and open consumer information and expert resource.

Our information helps guide people through the complexity of life-changing legal, financial, and emotional challenges.

One way of doing this is by providing our visitors with a wide range of third-party resources. Some of which are affiliates.

Should you visit an affiliate, we will disclose this fact, and we may earn a commission. We ask that you use your independent judgment in deciding whether an offered service or product fits your needs and purposes.

If you have questions, please get in touch with us at inquiries@GotTrouble.org.

Sponsors