Driversed.com Unit 5

A drunk driver who injures someone in a collision can be convicted of Intoxication Assault

and be punished with a fine of up to $10,000, two to ten years in jail, and a 90-day to one-year license suspension.

If the drunk driver kills a person, he or she can be convicted of Intoxication Manslaughter

and face additional penalties. You can be jailed for up to 20 years for killing someone while driving drunk.

Under Texas law, intoxication is defined as:

Not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or Having a BAC of 0.08% or higher To convict you of an intoxication-related offense, only one of the above violations must be proved.

Administrative License Revocation (ALR)

Since 1995, Texas has had an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) law that allows a law enforcement agent to immediately suspend a drivers license for certain offenses related to driving while intoxicated. An officer can immediately suspend the license of a driver at least 21 years old if a chemical test shows that the driver's BAC is 0.08% or higher. Moreover, the license of a driver under 21 can be immediately suspended if there is any detectable amount of alcohol in his or her system.

Implied Consent law

Under Texas's Implied Consent law, when you operate a motor vehicle within the state you are deemed to have automatically given your consent to submit to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs. If a police officer stops you and requests that you submit to a chemical test, you must comply with this request. For an officer to stop you, he or she must have reasonable grounds to believe that you are intoxicated by alcohol or a drug while operating the motor vehicle. If your driving is erratic for any reason, you may be stopped by an officer and asked to submit to a chemical test.

ignition interlock device (IID)

A driver whose license is suspended for a DWI offense may apply for a special license that will allow them to continue to drive as long as they install and continue to use an ignition interlock device (IID) in their car. The IID must be approved by the state of Texas and remain installed for the entire duration of the suspension period. The driver will generally be required to pay the cost of installing the device. An IID is a mechanism installed in a vehicle's ignition system that a driver must breathe into when starting the car and periodically during vehicle operation. This device can measure a driver's blood alcohol content and prevent the engine from running if he or she has a BAC over a certain limit.

Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused illegal stimulants. Its short-term consequences include:

A euphoric experience that peaks after 15 to 40 minutes and fades quickly A sense of well-being that includes alertness, painlessness, and confidence Physical symptoms such as dry mouth, blurred vision, sweating, loss of appetite, and rapid heart rate Lapses of attention and coordination that make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely

A first DUI offense is a Class C misdemeanor. The penalties include:

A fine of up to $500 Between 20 and 40 hours of community service A suspension or denial of your drivers license for 60 days Mandatory attendance of an Alcohol Awareness Program You will not be eligible to obtain an occupational license for the first 30 days of your suspension.

A second DUI offense is a Class C misdemeanor. The penalties include:

A fine of up to $500 Between 40 and 60 hours of community service A suspension or denial of your drivers license for 120 days Mandatory attendance of an Alcohol Awareness Program You will not be eligible to obtain an occupational license for the first 90 days of your suspension.

For drivers between 17 and 21 years old, a third DUI offense is a Class B misdemeanor. The penalties include

A jail term of up to 180 days A fine of between $500 and $2,000 Between 40 and 60 hours of community service Mandatory attendance of an Alcohol Awareness Program A suspension or denial of your drivers license for 180 days The penalties for this crime cannot be reduced or deferred and you will not be eligible to obtain an occupational license.

Consuming too much of any drug can be fatal.

Consuming too much of any drug can be fatal. Each drug has a minimum dosage (under which there will be no effects), an effective dosage (which will provide the greatest benefit), and a lethal dosage (which is the amount that must be consumed to be fatal). With habitual use, people can become accustomed to a drug and require a higher dose to achieve the same effect, leading them to consume increasingly unhealthy amounts. In addition, the effects of different drugs consumed in combination can amplify their effects in unpredictable ways.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Drivers 21 years of age or older cannot legally drive with a BAC over 0.08%, which indicates that a person has more than eight parts of alcohol for every 10,000 parts of blood in his or her body. It is illegal for drivers under 21 to have a BAC over 0.00% when driving—or at any other time. BAC is generally measured using a chemical test of blood, urine, or breath. Most commonly, the BAC of a driver stopped on suspicion of drunk driving will be assessed with a breath test. In Texas, the average BAC at the time of arrest is 0.16%. That's twice the legal limit!

The consumption of alcohol is legal for Texas residents who are at least 21 years old. However, Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a serious crime. Review the penalties for a DWI conviction:

First offense: A fine up to $2,000, 72 hours to 180 days in jail, and a 90-day to 365-day license suspension Second offense: A fine up to $4,000, 30 days to one year in jail, and a 180-day to 2-year license suspension Third and subsequent offenses: A fine up to $10,000, two to ten years in jail, and a 180-day to 2-year license suspension The first time you receive a DWI conviction, the court may decide to waive your suspension and allow you to serve your jail term on probation.

drug

Generally speaking, any substance that affects your body's normal functions after being absorbed into your system is considered a drug.

As a result, the United States as a whole and Texas in particular have established strict laws with severe penalties in order to convince drivers never to get behind the wheel intoxicated.

In every state in the country, the legal BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers over 21, while the legal limit for minors is consistently limited between 0.00% and 0.02%, depending on the state.