Claudia Ortiz
Ms. Turner – GOVT 2302
Driving While Intoxicated Paper
As we all know driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be very dangerous for both the sober driver and the intoxicated driver. Some of us, if not all of us have seen, known, and even experienced someone driving while intoxicated. There have been stories about drunk drivers on the news and other types of media that shock society. . Many times, the outcome of driving while intoxicated cause irreparable damage to one or all involved in the incident. Fortunately, society is continues to work hard in doing what is best to stop and avoid DWI from becoming a growing problem and destroying more lives.
What does it mean to drive while intoxicated? When an intoxicated driver gets pulled over by law enforcement on a routine drunk driving stop, and the police officer suspects intoxication, a field sobriety test may be conducted. The driver must perform simple physical or cognitive tests to determine sobriety. A sobriety field test consist of quick exams to that notify the officer the officer of intoxication, and are known as the following: horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, and the one leg stand (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing). If these tests are failed the driver is automatically taken into custody, their car will be towed, and will be handed documentation suspending their license for three months. Once in custody, a breathalyzer exam or a blood exam is also given to the driver.
Breathalyzer and blood exams are very important when dealing with someone who is suspected of DWI. These exams determine the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). In Texas, the BAC use to be at 0.10, but Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) contended that the level of intoxication permitted by states with .10 BAC laws allows for dangerously impaired driving, and that adopting the .08 BAC limit in every state will save over 500 lives each year