DUI is driving under the influence. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause a significant number of deaths that is why every state is strictly enforcing this law. The level of being intoxicated differs in each state. It can also be called DWI or driving while intoxicated. Bottom-line, if you get caught driving while intoxicated you might be fined big time, even get jail time or license revoked.

What is BAC?

BAC is blood alcohol content. If your blood alcohol content is above that which is legal in your state or where you are caught driving then you can be charged with DUI. If your BAC is under that which is legal then you pass the test and are free to go. Again, BAC percentage differs in every state. In most states the BAC % is .10. In other states though the BAC has been lowered to .08%.

What is Zero Tolerance BAC Level?

The Zero Tolerance BAC level is .02, .01 and .00 (or zero) depending on the state. This means that the state will not tolerate any driver under the legal drinking age to be driving under the influence of alcohol. Even with a .02% BAC only.

What is the legal drinking age?

Generally, most states establish that the legal drinking age is 21 years old. Other states would allow 18 year olds to drink low-alcohol content beers and wines. But since we have the federal law, highway mandates encourage that the drinking age is 21 so that there is uniformity is all states.

What are the penalties for DUI?

The possible penalties for DUI include community service, cash fines, vehicle impound, jail time, license probation. It can be a combination of some of these fines. It can even be all these penalties depending on the gravity of the offense. If you are a first time offender, your penalty might just be community service or a cash fine. But if you have been caught driving under the influence more than once then the gravity of the penalty will not just be community service.