What is "drunk driving?"
Drunk driving, sometimes called driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI), has two meanings:
Driving with a blood alcohol level over the state's maximum permissible blood alcohol limit. The limit for adults is 0.08% in all 50 states as of May, 2007. This is due to the fact that in October, 2000, Congress passed a law requiring all states to adopt a limits of 0.08% by 2004 or lose some of their Federal highway funds. Apart from the 0.08% limit, some states have "zero tolerance" limits for young drivers.
Most European countries have limits that are far below 0.08%. You may be considered "legally drunk" even though you do not "feel" or look as though you are "under the influence" from the alcohol .
You may also be guilty of DUI / DWI for driving when your physical abilities are impaired by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. In the eyes of the law, it makes no difference whether the drug is legal or illegal, prescription or over-the-counter. If taking that drug impacts your senses of seeing, hearing, talking, walking, judging distances, or any other physical or mental ability used in driving, you may be found guilty of a drunk driving offense.
(Updated August 30, 2007)
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