DUI vs DWI: What’s in a Name?
English is a very rich language, but can also be confusing at times. Different phrases often mean virtually the same thing, even though they may have slight technical differences. Some people call these distinctions without differences. Or, as Juliet argued to Romeo, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The confusion over DUI vs DWI represents one of these dilemmas.
But these two terms are only the tip of the iceberg. In their never-ending efforts to curb illegal drunk driving, states have come up with a variety of terms:
- DUI – Driving Under the Influence (used in 35 states)
- DWI – Driving While Intoxicated (used in 10 states)
- OWI – Operating While Intoxicated (used in Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin)
- OUI – Operating Under the Influence (used in Maine and Rhode Island)
- OVI – Operating a Vehicle Impaired (used in Ohio)
- DUII – Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (used in Oregon)
Still More Acronyms
If you noticed that the above list totals more than 50 states, that’s because some states use more than one acronym. To make matters even more confusing, some states also use the following acronyms:
- ADWI – Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated
- DUII-CS – Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants-Controlled Substances
- DUII – Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants
- DWAI – Driving While Ability Impaired
- OMVI – Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired
- OUII – Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor
“Intoxicated” Definition
The definition of “intoxicated” varies by source, generally meaning impaired by alcohol or drugs to the point where physical or mental control is significantly reduced. Common synonyms include drunk, inebriated, hammered, plastered, and a host of other terms.
Across all states, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% is considered legally intoxicated, giving law enforcement probable cause for arrest. Typically, officers assess BAC using a breathalyzer when they pull someone over for suspected DUI or DWI. However, despite the widespread use of breath tests, they don’t measure blood alcohol levels directly.
A breathalyzer measures the alcohol percentage in a person’s breath, which correlates to the alcohol level in their blood—but not perfectly. Only a blood test provides an accurate BAC measurement. Even so, breathalyzers remain the go-to tool for roadside checks, despite their reputation for inconsistent results.
“Under the Influence” Definition
Regardless of the inclusion of drugs in some states’ DWI definitions, most people think of intoxication as a condition caused by consuming too much alcohol. Originally, state laws sought to prevent drunk driving, hence the Driving While Intoxicated prohibition. As recreational drug usage became more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, however, law enforcement officers and legislators realized that they had a new, possibly even bigger, problem. Drug users were causing nearly as many accidents as alcohol users. Consequently, most states changed their laws from DWI to DUI.
Given that recreational marijuana is now legal by adults over the age of 21 in 11 states and legal for medical usage in 33 states, one can only assume that the “drugging and driving” problem is not going to go away any time soon.
Reasonable Suspicion
“Driving Under the Influence” never specifies under the influence of what. Therefore, these laws can and do cover virtually everything, including alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs and even such things as glue sniffing. Law enforcement officers can issue DUI tickets without needing a breath test. Reasonable suspicion for a DUI charge relies on how the suspicious driver is driving. Officers look for such behavior as the following:
- Driving substantially below the posted speed limit
- Riding the brake
- Veering out of the vehicle’s lane
- Weaving from lane to lane
- Driving on the shoulder of the road
- Failing to use directional signals when they should be used
Probable Cause
While any of the above give officers sufficient reasonable suspicion to pull the driver over, they do not give them the probable cause necessary to arrest them. Probable cause comes from the officer’s observation of one or more of the following:
- The odor of alcohol or marijuana in the vehicle or on the suspect’s breath
- Their slurred speech
- The suspect’s bloodshot eyes
- Their strange or hostile behavior
- Their failure to pass a field sobriety test
“Driving” Versus “Operating”
When a state’s prohibited behavior includes the word “driving,” this strongly implies that someone must be driving a car, boat, motorcycle or another moving vehicle to be arrested for suspected DWI or DUI.
When a state’s prohibited behavior includes the word “operating,” however, then law enforcement officers can arrest someone suspected of OWI, OUI, OVI, etc., even if they are sitting or sleeping in a parked or otherwise stationary vehicle.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Whatever acronym your state uses for alcohol- and drug-related offenses, all of these charges represent serious ones. If convicted, at the very least, you face probation, community service, and the payment of a large fine. If this is your second or subsequent conviction, you likely face a jail or prison sentence instead of probation. The judge may also require you to complete a drug or alcohol program.
Even with a first offense conviction, you face suspension of your driver’s license, usually for six months. To get your license back, you likely will need to have your auto insurance company file an SR-22 form with your state’s motor vehicle department. Also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, this form proves that you carry sufficient auto insurance to meet your state’s minimum coverage requirements. You also may need to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for a specified period.
Given these stiff penalties, you need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to aggressively defend you against the charges you face and protect your rights.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer
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About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations. Contact Aaron at [email protected] for article suggestions, collaborations, or inquiries.
