Guest Author: Evan Langsted

By now everyone should know how stupid it is to drink and drive. Many people were raised on a diet of After School Specials and special guest lecturers at their schools about the dangers and consequences of  driving under the influence. At the time, these types of consequences may have seen abstract, either because the audience was too young to drive or the thought of drinking alcohol had never occurred to them. They knew what  MADD  stood for, but they didn’t know anyone who was a part of it. 

As this audience grew up, alcohol may have become part of their life in some way, either at weekend parties or because they knew someone who was at that party doing the drinking. Some may have even had the tragic unpleasantness of getting caught up in their own personal drama with drinking and driving. Usually the consequences were fatal. While the kids of America were taking in the lesson that drinking and driving leads to death and sorrow, what may have not been a lesson learned is what happens when you don’t die; you simply get pulled over. 

According to the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , the latest national DUI statistics show fewer fatalities in 2007 than in prior years (these are the latest statistics compiled by the NHTSA). On one hand, this could mean that there are fewer people drinking and driving. Or it could mean that more people are stopped before they are involved in an accident by the police. The same states that had the most DUI fatalities in 2006 stayed mostly constant in 2007. Or, perhaps a third reason is that because the consequences have become so harsh in some states that it just is not worth the risk, no matter what.  DUI in Florida  Looking at Florida, for example, a state whose mild weather allows for an increased tourist base and increased traffic, 2007 registered a nearly four percent drop in alcohol-related fatalities. Florida is a state that arrests drivers if their blood alcohol content is .08 or higher. However, there really is not a legal limit for driving under the influence, and you may find yourself arrested for DUI or DWI because you refused to take a test or even register a .02 BAC. 

If you are convicted of DUI in the state of Florida, you will be fined. Though the circumstances will determine the amount, it is at least $250 or as high as $1000 for your first offense. You may also face probation or even jail time for your first offense. Or maybe you’ll just get community service. And then there’s something called "DUI School." These are the mandatory classes you must attend, and pay for, if you are convicted of a DUI. You don’t have to wonder too hard about how heavy the penalties are if you are convicted of a DUI-related accident where someone is killed. 

States, like Florida, are getting tougher on those who drink and drive. Lowering the limit to .08 is one thing. However, there are those whose driver’s license is restricted, or an ignition interlock device is required to start their car and then keep it running. In fact, MADD has said the ignition interlock device has helped decrease the number of drunken drivers on the road by hundreds of thousands. In any event, if you are arrested for DUI, you will need someone who knows about the law and how to keep you from going to prison.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/dui-penalties-and-you-799055.html

About the Author:
If you are in the Gainesville, Florida area, and you are charged with driving under the influence, please contact the experienced DUI attorneys at Avera & Smtih, LLP  for an initial and confidential consultation.