preview

Definition Of Drunk Driving

Good Essays
Open Document

People often get confused with the different terms used to describe or classify drunk driving. The fact is that there really is not much difference between them. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are the same but some states use one term while another state uses the other term. Some states use the term OUI which stands for Operating under the influence. All three terms refer to the same offense of drinking while driving.
DUI is the most widely used term for drunk driving. DWI is less common but is used in New York, Texas, and Missouri. OUI is more commonly used in the North-eastern States including Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island. There are also other terms used by some states such as OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), OMVI (Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated), DUII (Driving under the influence of an intoxicant), DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired), and DWUI (Driving While Under the Influence).
Drunk driving is a persistent problem on our roads today. In Kansas City especially, the prevalence of drivers who act negligent and get behind the wheel while being intoxicated continues to increase. Drunk driving incidents are especially observed during holidays such as Independence Day, St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. On St. Patrick's Day alone, police officers got 41 drunks out of 1300 vehicles that were checked. In 2016, there were 999 DUIs and this number did not include North KC, Jackson County, and other nearby areas.

Get Access