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Driving While Alcohol Impaired: a Preliminary Exploration of the Issues and Possible Approaches

NCJ Number
120401
Author(s)
P Brady
Date Published
1989
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A driver whose driving ability is visibly impaired by alcohol but does not have a BAC of 0.10 percent will be unlikely to be arrested under current Virginia law.
Abstract
With a "Driving While Alcohol Impaired" (DWAI) statute, law enforcement personnel could detain those drivers whose ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by alcohol at BAC levels below 0.10 percent. The author reviews the scientific evidence of the effect of alcohol on driving ability at low BAC levels. DWAI statutes from eight States and the District of Columbia are examined with discussion of the placement of DWAI as a lesser offense of "Driving Under the Influence" (DUI), DWAI as a separate offense applying only to drivers under 21, and DWAI as a separate offense for all drivers, as well as the lowering of the BAC level for DUI. 16 references. (Author abstract modified)