Virginia Driving Under Influence

With over 300 drunk driving deaths each year, and over 1200 DUI cases, the state of Virginia takes its driving under influence (DUI) laws very seriously.  A DUI  or drunk driving is a serious traffic violation. As with all other states, Virginia has a legal framework that governs DUI traffic violations and penalizes drunk drivers. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous not just for the driver, but for other  vehicles and drivers on the road as well. The increasing number of DUI related deaths has led to stricter enforcement of laws.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for framing DIU laws and then coordinating with the police in the state. Apart from this, the department also handles matters related to licensing, traffic education, tests, and car registration.

Virginia Driving Under Influence

Alcohol intake is allowed up to a certain percentage in every state. Drivers who are suspected for DUI are required to take a few tests to determine the blood alcohol level. If the driver has been drinking within the legal limit BAC (Blood alcohol concentration), he or she cannot be penalized or convicted for traffic violation. The BAC level may vary from state to state. In Virginia, the BAC level is 0.8%. The reason why a certain limit has been defined is to ensure safe driving. Extreme levels of alcohol found in the blood tend to impair driving skills, judgment skills, vision, and response time.

Law enforcement officers have the right to conduct chemical tests and alcohol tests on suspected drivers. If you have been pulled over for a DUI and refuse to take the breath test, it will be considered as a misdemeanor and can have legal consequences.

The penalties that have been designed for DUI convictions will vary from case to case. In some cases, ne may simply be fined whereas in other cases, license suspension is a possibility. DUI cases that involve severe accidents or reckless endangerment can also put the driver behind bars. Therefore it is important that all drivers are aware of their states BAC limit, and understand the potential dangers that come with drunk driving.