The top reason for DUI charges is alcohol use. Alcohol is one of the most common and easily accessible drugs in the country. The police specifically test a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) after an arrest because it can demonstrate that they had been drinking before driving their car.
However, it is also important to remember that it is not just alcohol that can lead to impaired driving charges. Someone may not have consumed any alcohol at all, so they would blow a 0.00 on a breath test, but they could certainly still be impaired.
Other problematic substances
First, driving under the influence of any type of illegal drug can also lead to an arrest. Alcohol use is on the decline in the United States, but people may still use a variety of illegal drugs that can seriously impair their ability to drive. This can actually make an arrest a bit more complicated because there is no breath test for these drugs in the same way that there is for alcohol.
On top of that, driving under the influence of certain prescription medications can be illegal. A person may have a valid prescription, so it is completely legal for them to possess and take a medication they have been given by their doctor. However, if the instructions tell them not to operate heavy machinery, that typically means they should not drive their car.
DUI defense options
Are you facing DUI charges for any of the reasons noted above? They can have a major impact on your future, so it is important to understand what defense options you have.
