(516) 319-5822
Labor Day is one of the year’s biggest DWI/DUI weekends. Law enforcement officers across New York- and the entire nation- will be on the lookout for people driving while intoxicated or under the influence.
Alcohol-impaired driving is a deadly crime that is still enormously prevalent throughout America. To crack down on alcohol-impaired driving, which is especially common on this holiday weekend, police in every town, city and state will be out in record numbers. As part of New York’s continuing effort to combat impaired driving, more than 500 local law enforcement agencies and State Police are conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints all weekend long as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. It is a focused effort to get drunk drivers off the road through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public awareness messaging.
Driving while intoxicated and/or under the influence can result in serious consequences, the most serious being risking the lives of others as well as yourself. Below are a few terms and conditions you should be familiar with:
- DWI (Driving While Intoxicated): Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher or other evidence of intoxication (.04 or higher BAC for commercial motor vehicle drivers)
- Aggravated DWI (Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated): BAC of .18 or higher
- DWAI/Alcohol/Drug (Driving While Ability Impaired by alcohol or by a drug other than alcohol): BAC of .05 to .07 or other evidence of impairment; evidence of impairment by any drug, including illegal substances and prescription medications
- DWAI/Combination (Driving While Ability Impaired by alcohol AND drugs): Evidence of impairment by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs
- Chemical Test Refusal: If a driver refuses to submit to a breath, blood or urine test, such as a breathalyzer or intoxilyzer test, he or she may face punishment that includes driver’s license suspension and fines- even if the driver is ultimately not found guilty of DWI
- Zero Tolerance Law: A driver under the age of 21 with a BAC of .02 to .07
- Leandra’s Law: This law, which took effect in August 2010, created a new felony charge: Aggravated DWI/Child in Vehicle, and made the installation of an ignition interlock device mandatory for any person convicted of DWI
Some important safety tips to keep in mind this weekend: if you are drinking, do not drive; if you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternative transportation such as a taxi; inform your family and friends of the dangers of DWI/DUI; always ensure all passengers in your vehicle are wearing a seat-belt to protect against drunk drivers; and don’t let someone get behind the wheel after drinking.
Driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence are serious offenses that may result in fines, license suspension, license revocation or even jail. If you find yourself in a situation involving a DUI or DWI over the weekend, call us at 516-319-5822 or visit www.TrafficTicketNassauCounty.com for more information. All consultations are free and no office visit is necessary.
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