Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is the act of operating an automobile or other vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. It is a criminal offense in many countries. Other terms for driving while intoxicated include driving under the influence (DUI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating under the influence (OUI), drunk driving, drunken driving, and drink-driving. The terms and their usage vary by jurisdiction (area of legal authority).
Driving while intoxicated has serious consequences. In the United States alone, about 10,000 people are killed annually in accidents involving alcohol. Penalties for driving while intoxicated include fines, imprisonment, and the suspension or revocation (taking away) of a person’s driver’s license. Some offenders are assigned to alcohol- or drug-abuse treatment programs.
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Intoxication typically causes people to lose the ability to drive safely and alertly. Drivers who have consumed alcohol or other drugs may experience altered perceptions, blurred vision, delayed reactions, and reduced physical coordination. They are also more likely to make bad decisions and take unnecessary risks. Police officers stop and question drivers who appear to be intoxicated.
Drivers suspected of being intoxicated may be asked to submit to chemical tests. For example, authorities may test a driver’s blood alcohol content or blood alcohol concentration (BAC)—that is, the percentage of alcohol in the person’s bloodstream. Laws regarding BAC limits for drivers vary from country to country. Limits typically range from about 0.05 percent to about 0.10 percent. In the United States, the limit is 0.08 percent. Authorities also may use chemical tests to determine the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a substance in marijuana, in a driver’s body.
Other methods for measuring intoxication include field sobriety tests. During these tests, a driver may be asked to perform certain tasks, such as walking a straight line or balancing on one leg, in front of a police officer.
