Driving Drunk in America: DUI Lawyers Needed

By Neal Spoton

Some states in the U.S. now have two statutory offenses relating to DUI charges. The first is the traditional offense, variously called driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI) or operating while intoxicated or impaired (OWI). The 2nd and more recent offence is the so-called illegal (per se) offense of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% (previously 0.10%) or higher (which remains the highest allowed level of blood-alcohol in the world). The first offense requires proof of "intoxication," although evidence of BAC is admissible in a court of law as "rebuttably presumptive evidence of that intoxication"; the second requires only proof of BAC at the time of being in physical control of a motor vehicle. An accused citizen may be convicted of both offenses, but may only be punished for one of the two.

It is also a criminal offense in all states to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs DUID, or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs; the drugs themselves need not be illegal, but can be prescription or even over-the-counter. In some states, the effects of some herbal remedies (such as Kava Kava extract) fall into this category. This offense requires evidence of impairment as a result of the drugs or drugs and alcohol, although some states have passed laws making driving with the mere presence of certain drugs a criminal offense.

Some states also include a lesser charge of driving with a BAC of 0.05%; other states limit this offense to drivers under the age of 21. All states also now have zero tolerance laws: the license of anyone under 21 driving with a BAC of .01% or higher (.02% in some states) will be suspended. The blood-alcohol limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%. Commercial drivers are also subject to stricter punishments for exceeding the blood-alcohol limit.

Pilots of aircraft may not fly less than eight hours after consuming alcohol, while under the impairing influence of alcohol or any other drug, or while showing a blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.04 grams per decilitre of blood.

The various versions of "driving under the influence" generally constitute a misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in jail). However, the offense may be elevated to a felony (punishable by a longer term in state prison) if the incident caused serious injury (felony DUI), death (vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide), or extensive property damage (a state specified dollar amount) or if the defendant has a designated number of prior DUI convictions within a given time period (commonly, 3 prior convictions within 7 years). California, which is being followed by a growing number of states, now charges second-degree murder where the legal state of mind of malice exists"that is, where the defendant exhibited a reckless indifference to the lives of others. - 21396

About the Author:

Neal Spoton set up a Website for D.U.I. legal services after 16 years as an D.U.I. attorney. Think you need some inside information to figure out your own D.U.I. or D.U.I.D situation? Click Right Here on D.U.I. Attorney.

The Many Faces Of Sacramento Airport Transportation

By Antonio Davinci

Your first concern after you land in an airport should be how you are going to leave. You won't always be flying to a location where you are going to have a friend who can pick you up. Perhaps you are visiting somewhere that you have never been before, like Sacramento. In this instance, finding Sacramento airport transportation is your most important task. There are many different forms available, though, so finding a ride shouldn't be any trouble.

The easiest form of transportation from the airport would be a taxi. Usually, after every major flight, taxis are waiting outside of the airport to help passengers get to their destinations. This is the most common form of leaving an airport although it is not always the best choice. You may end up fighting the other passengers for a limited number of taxis and they can usually be pretty crowded.

Some Sacramento airport transportation may be provided by the form of a lift. Local hotels will often feature a shuttle service designed to take their guests to and from the airport. This can often be a handy service, yet it only works for one of the people who is staying at that hotel. The service is also usually only provided as transportation with the airport, leaving you stranded at the hotel the rest of the time.

Renting a car will give you the freedom to explore Sacramento on your own. You can pick a make and model that you admire and have the freedom to navigate your own way around the city according to your own schedule. Yet, when you do this, you will be forced to use your own intuition to find your way in an unfamiliar city using a car which is not your own. It can be very freeing but can also be somewhat stressful.

You may wish to find Sacramento airport transportation in the form of a limo. Using one of these limousine services gives you the ability to travel around the city in style, as these luxury automobiles are rather classy. The driver will be able to take you anywhere in the city that you need to go, making sure that you get there on time. On top of this, the ride itself will be a great experience, helping you to enjoy Sacramento as you may never have before.

When figuring out the best type of transportation that you could have during your time to Sacramento, you are going to need to figure out all of your needs and destinations. The freedom to explore the city on your own is an important one and you will want to stay comfortable as well. Anything from a rental car to a limousine service is available, giving you plenty of option when it comes to all of your transportation needs. - 21396

About the Author:

If you or your company are are looking for Sacramento airport transportation or need a limousine in Sacramento, no need to look further. We have the lowest prices and service that is second to none. Call us at 530-755-2354 for more information or to schedule a reservation.

The Benifits of Using a Driving School

By Johnny Robertson

In this day and age, becoming a good driver is extremely important. Using a driving school is one of the things that can help you become a good driver. In this article, we are going to cover the many different reasons why taking some of these lessons will be beneficial to and for you.

We have to drive. Everyone pretty much has to drive somewhere, whether it is school, work or even just around everywhere. That is one of the main reasons why sixteen year olds are so excited and eager to get their licenses. No one wants to rely on their parents or public transport to get everywhere, especially school.

Nowadays, most schools have driver's education programs put into place. However, parents might not want to rely on a class that lasts only for a few weeks, typically a quarter at most. It is ideal, of course, for teaching students all the written rules they need to learn. However, the participants in such classes do not get the kind of driving time they really need. Even when they do get to drive, they often only spend a few minutes behind the wheel. This is because they have to share the time with classmates.

So, needless to say, taking an extra course at a school for driving is definitely beneficial. You do not have to be a teen to take such courses either. Adults can benefit from them as well. If you have not driven a vehicle in a while, you can take a course. The same goes if you simply want to sharpen your driving skills.

One of the main reasons these courses are better than school courses is due to the quality of teaching. In many cases, high school driver's education teachers are not professionally certified. However, in a professional school, however, the instructor is properly certified. Thus, you can rest assured that he or she is imminently qualified. Besides, it can be stressful to be taught to drive by a parent or other adult in your life.

In such cases, the adult teaching you will often teach you based on their driving habits. Those are not necessarily correct and you could end up learning the wrong information. That is definitely not going to help you when you begin driving by yourself. It is far better to learn from a qualified instructor who goes by the book. That will also make it easier for you to pass your written driving test.

When you learn to drive by taking classes in a professional school, there are other benefits as well. Having a certificate from such an institution often makes it much easier to get a license in another country. If you want to drive a specialized vehicle such as a big truck, delivery van, and so on, such a certificate will also make it easier to get that license.

Cheaper car insurance is another thing that you can get whenever you take drivers education via a private and professional school. Most insurance companies nowadays are trying to make sure that all of their customers are safe drivers and having that certificate will prove that you know how to be safe! - 21396

About the Author:

Topgear offer more information about glasgow driving instructors. There is also more details about driving lessons in dumbarton.

Are Pocket Bikes Street Legal?

By Sean Goodwin

For a pocket bike to be street legal, it will take a little bit of work. Straight out of the box, pocket bikes lack a few things to be allowed on the streets, although specific rules vary from state to state. It is also not uncommon for pocket bikes to disqualify simply because they are miniature in size.

Smaller models don't really have much of a chance in becoming street legal simply because most bikes would be in a class with motorcycles. And according to the rules, the seat of a motorcycle must be at least 25 inches off the ground. A pocket bike obviously violates that simple test and raising the seat is not a viable mod for any bike.

In many cases, just riding a pocket bike out on the streets is considered reckless driving because of the sheer number of violations. The sum total of all the violations for riding a pocket bike in public could set you back as much as $2,000 in fines.

One other big feature that most bikes don't have is the rear indicator lights for night driving. This is in addition to the lack of rearview mirrors, horns, or signal lights for turns. These are the design restrictions that keep pocket bikes hobby vehicles to be driven on private grounds and off the streets.

In every state a vehicle must be registered to be allowed on the streets. Since most bikes can't get registered because of all the obvious violations, they technically should never be on the streets. In strict neighborhoods the rider could also be cited for noise pollution depending on the muffler of the bike.

Of course everything stated is based on general guidelines. There are models of pocket bikes that are larger than most mini bikes known as super bikes. These bikes come with headlights, break lights, turning signal lights, a speedometer, and a horn. And by many definitions these bikes can be street legal with minor modifications.

In many cases small modifications such as adding a rear view mirror and brackets for a license plate will allow you to register the bike for legal street use in most states. With the few modifications the pocket bikes can sometimes be categorized as unique or home built vehicles.

If it is classified as a regular motorcycle then motorcycles laws apply, such as the helmet requirement and special motorcycle driver's license. If it is class as something else such as a moped, then a regular driver's license is enough. - 21396

About the Author:

Visit Pocket Bikes Guide to find a pocket bike for yourself or just for more information in general.

Illuminating Ways for Secure Night Motoring

By Ethan Melandri

Your vision at night is reduced not only because you are exhausted, but also a lack of light, which makes it tough for you to avoid possible dangers or other motorists. There is one great thing about night motoring, though, and that is less traffic on the streets, providing you with more liberty when driving.

Anytime you are about to take a drive in the dark you will want to verify your headlamps are dirt- free and running properly. It is a law for night driving that your sidelights and number plate lights be turned on. When checking your headlights you need to make sure they are aligned correctly so as not to annoy or distract other drivers. When you feel that your headlamps are not lining up you should have them tested and retuned by a professional auto mechanic.

Any time you have items in your back seat or boot which are heavy your headlights could increase in height. Drivers will certainly find this troublesome, but with the adjustment switch inside your vehicle you can modify where the headlights are pointing.

As soon as the street lights come on where you are driving you need to turn on your headlight bulbs. Any time there is inclement weather or the sky is a dull grey you also need to have your headlights on. It allows other motorists to see you plainly. When you have a dark or dull coloured vehicle it is especially imperative that you switch on your lights, as these cars are more difficult to see.

Only when you encounter unlit streets should you use your high beam headlights. At all other times you should use the lower setting. Your main beam headlights can be a problem for other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists, so if you are using them you will need to turn them off as you approach them.

If you are following another car you will need to use your dipped beam, and keep the bright lights off. If you are going to pass the vehicle in front of you, ensure that you are cautious. Your lights can reduce their sight or create illusions in the dark. You will want to pay close attention to any dips or bends that are on the road that could affect your ability to pass the vehicle safely.

Being dazzled is a particular hazard when driving at night and can temporarily affect your ability to see clearly, however there are some simple tips to help prevent this situation. At night you may find yourself naturally drawn to looking at oncoming headlights, fight this temptation by looking slightly to the left of the lights.

Dirt, road grime, or grease on your windscreen may create an optical illusion that is both dangerous and annoying. Chips and cracks can change the refraction of the light as well. It is best to change your rear view mirror to night driving setting, in order to lessen the impact of other vehicles behind you. You also need to consider when you might need to slow down on a bend or at a junction as lights may affect you.

Motorists driving during the night should be unworried about the dangers, and instead enjoy the experience of open roads without traffic. - 21396

About the Author:

To improve the light output from their car lights, drivers can now replace halogen bulbs with new powerful xenon bulbs. These upgrade car bulbs are interchangeable with standard items so for example, fitting new H7 xenon bulbs is a very straightforward process.