The Different Types of DUI Charges

A lot of laws surround DUIs, DWIs, and other alcohol-related traffic violations. As with many legal matters, the rules and consequences can vary greatly depending on where you live. However, several general rules still hold true no matter where you are or what circumstances you find yourself in. Knowledge is power when it comes to DUI charges and convictions—the more you know, the better you can navigate your way through the situation as you work to return to normal life. It’s important to brush up on your state’s individual laws and procedures, but before you do that, learn more about the different types of DUI charges you might face with this guide.

Driving Under the Influence

A DUI—or driving under the influence—is one of the main types of drunk driving charges. Every single state has a driving under the influence law or some variation, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating under the influence (OUI). These laws refer to the act of driving or operating a vehicle when one is impaired by alcohol or drugs. If you’re caught driving under the influence, it doesn’t matter what your blood alcohol content is or whether or not the intoxicating substance is legal. As long as you were in control of a vehicle and your driving ability was noticeably impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both, you can receive a driving under the influence charge. It’s important to remember that this offense covers a wide range of vehicles, not just cars. It also extends to drunk biking, motorcycling, boating, and more. The specifics regarding these vehicles vary from state to state—for example, some states define bicycles as vehicles, while other don’t—but it’s still important to take these violations seriously.

Because this type of DUI charge relies on a person (such as a law enforcement officer) perceiving someone else’s intoxicated state, the circumstances around it can vary widely. Everyone handles intoxication differently. Someone who is still under the legal blood alcohol content level might still suffer from impaired judgement and reaction times. On the other hand, another individual might be over the legal limit but still appear to be sober. Therefore, police officers or prosecutors often must make judgment calls about a driver’s impairment. This also means it’s possible to argue that you were not driving under the influence, even if your blood alcohol content was above the legal limit.

Driving with a BAC Above the Legal Limit

Another way to determine whether someone is operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is through their blood alcohol content. If an officer pulls you over for drunk driving, they’ll likely perform a breathalyzer test to determine your blood alcohol content level. Every single state considers a driver intoxicated if their blood alcohol content level is .08% or higher. Many states consider this to be a more significant deciding factor than a driver’s level of impairment. This means that even if someone was driving safely and responsibly, they can still receive a DUI charge because of their blood alcohol content. Juries can usually find someone guilty for either driving under the influence or driving with an illegal blood alcohol content level. Most states hold the same consequences for each verdict.

Exceptions to the .08% Limit

All states consider someone with a blood alcohol content level of .08% or higher legally intoxicated, but you can still receive a DUI charge while under that limit. Some states have lower, stricter limits for younger or less experienced drivers—particularly in the case of minors who can’t legally consume alcohol. Commercial drivers also face higher standards when it comes to driving under the influence. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends a blood alcohol content limit of .04% or higher, and most states adhere to that for commercial drivers. The FMCSA also mandates that drivers do not operate commercial vehicles within four hours of consuming any amount of alcohol.

Different Levels of Offense

All the different types of DUI charges come with severe repercussions. However, the consequences of a DUI charge will vary depending on your state laws, past driving record, and additional damage done or laws broken. Every state handles these details differently, but you can learn and keep in mind a few general rules.

First Offense

Most DUI charges are a first offense, and the consequences for a first offense are often less severe. For example, first-offense DUIs are often only misdemeanors. This could lead to jail time, fines, alcohol education programs, and other penalties. However, because they’re often misdemeanors, first offenses are less likely to lead to losing certain rights, such as voting, serving on a jury, or pursuing certain careers. Despite this, it’s important to remember that even a first-offense DUI has significant effects on your life and will remain on your driver’s record for years to come.

Second Offense

If you face a second DUI charge within a certain number of years, the consequences will be more severe than they were for your first offense. Once again, the specifics depend on your state’s laws and the circumstances surrounding the event. However, you can expect to see higher fines, longer jail time, and other increased penalties. You’ll also likely find yourself up against harsher standards than the first time you received a DUI. For example, your blood alcohol content level might play a larger role in deciding your sentence this time around.

Felony DUI

Most DUI cases are misdemeanors, but it’s possible for them to escalate to felonies. Every state has its own rules regarding this, but a few reasons why it might happen include:

• If it’s a driver’s third (or higher) offense
• If the driver’s blood alcohol content level is .16% or higher
• If the driver causes injury or death to another person
• If there are children in the vehicle
• If the driver has a restricted or invalid license

Felony DUIs have much more severe consequences than misdemeanors. Once again, the details about what is and is not considered a felony depend on your state. It’s important to read up on state and federal laws regarding driving under the influence. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to address the problem and work your way through it.

No matter what kind of DUI charge you receive, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. If you need to obtain SR22 insurance after a DUI charge, Serenity Group has your back. We’ll help you find the best quotes for SR22 insurance in California, Colorado, or any other state you live in. When you find the best SR22 insurance policy for your situation, you can focus your energy on working through your other penalties and returning to normal life as quickly as possible.

3 Misconceptions About SR22 Insurance

Until you need it, SR22 insurance is just another piece of insurance jargon. It’s a small note on your auto insurance application that doesn’t apply to you, so you don’t pay attention to it. Unfortunately, this lack of attention leads to a lot of misunderstandings about what SR22 is and how it works. If you need SR22 insurance after a DUI or another reckless driving charge, it’s important to find accurate, reliable information about your requirements. As you go through the process, keep an eye out for these three misconceptions about SR22 insurance.

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The Impact Traffic Violations Have on Your Car Insurance

Even the best drivers make mistakes. Traffic violations are a relatively common part of life, and most of us receive a ticket at some point or another. Depending on where you live and what happened, these infractions can be anything from a minor inconvenience to a major disruption of your daily routine. Even if you pay the fine and return to your regular life on the road, that violation might come back to haunt you when you get your next auto insurance bill. Car insurance companies use your driving record to determine how high-risk you are as a driver. When you commit a traffic violation—even a minor one—your insurance provider will consider you to be a higher-risk driver and therefore more likely to cost them money. As such, how you act on the road plays a big role in how insurance companies determine your rates. Find out more about the impact traffic violations have on your car insurance with this guide so you can better prepare yourself and your finances if something does happen. (more…)

How a Restricted License Works

Many people rely on their ability to drive to get through the day. A valid license lets you commute to work or school, pick up your kids, travel to appointments, and more. As such, losing your driving privileges might be more than just an inconvenience—it can cost you your job, grades, and other vital aspects of your life. This is where a restricted license comes in. If you lose your license due to a DUI or other serious traffic offense, you might be able to obtain a restricted license instead. Find out what that means and how it can help you with our guide to how a restricted license works.

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What You Should Do After a Car Accident

Accidents happen. Car crashes are a fairly common experience for drivers, and most of them only involve property damage without any injuries. Yet no matter how common or minor these accidents may be, it’s still easy to feel shaken, adrenalized, or otherwise distracted if you get into a wreck on the road. Despite these feelings, it’s important to stay calm after an accident so you can do everything you need to take care of yourself, your passengers, and your auto insurance. Make the most of a bad situation by following this guide on what you should do after a car accident. (more…)

How SR22 Insurance Works in Connecticut

After a DUI, accident, or other major traffic violation, reobtaining your driver’s license and getting your life back to normal can be hard. Fortunately, you’re not alone. Once you learn more about your state’s requirements, you can take the necessary steps to meet them. One of these steps, of course, is meeting your state’s SR22 insurance requirements. If you’re wondering how SR22 insurance works in Connecticut, read our guide to the rules and requirements and what you can do to return to normal life. (more…)

The Consequences of Causing a Car Crash

Accidents are an unfortunately common part of driving. Most drivers will be in an accident during their time on the road, and many experience multiple crashes throughout their lives. Fortunately, many of these accidents are relatively minor: backing into obstacles, sliding into a ditch, or other incidents that cause minor damage and few, if any, injuries. However, to say car crashes can come with severe consequences would be an understatement. A larger accident brings all kinds of negative impacts to you and your life—and that’s certainly true if you caused it. Here are some of the consequences of causing a car crash you might face. (more…)

How a DUI Can Affect Your Credit

If you’re facing a recent DUI conviction, you’ve probably noticed that it has affected more of your life than you originally thought. A DUI charge won’t show up directly on your credit report, but it has lasting effects that can influence your finances for months or even years to come. From putting fees on a credit card to dealing with a higher insurance premium after the conviction, here’s how a DUI can affect your credit now and down the road. (more…)

What Happens When You Let Your SR22 Car Insurance Cancel?

No one wants to carry an SR22 insurance policy around with them. From the mark on your driving record to the extra costs on your auto insurance, the SR22 can turn into a hassle at times. However, if you don’t keep up with your SR22 insurance requirements, the stress gets a lot worse. It’s important to maintain your policy for as long as your state requires. What happens when you let your SR22 car insurance cancel? Read up on the process and consequences here. (more…)

How Road Rage Can Affect Car Insurance Rates

Road rage is an all too common behavior behind the wheel. Everyone gets aggravated from time to time, especially when they’re driving during rush hour, through a major traffic jam, or in other stressful conditions. However, while a bad mood or surly demeanor might seem like a harmless, temporary thing, it can actually hold a lot of consequences for you and your driving career. Even though road rage itself isn’t a crime, the reckless driving that ensues is. When you experience road rage, you’re more likely to drive aggressively, breaking the basic rules of the road and putting you and any nearby drivers or passengers in danger. The violations and accidents that result from road rage and reckless driving also impact your car insurance rates. To help you learn more, here is our guide to how road rage can affect car insurance rates.

Legal Consequences

Let’s say you need to be somewhere quickly, but traffic is heavy and the people in front of you are slow. You’re a decent driver—surely an illegal pass just this once won’t do any harm. Impatience and irritability on the road often lead to breaking even the most basic of traffic rules. Even though this may seem harmless in the moment, the truth is that you never know how dangerous this type of behavior can be until something bad happens. Even if you don’t do any damage the first time, this kind of behavior leads to a habit of reckless driving. This, in turn, increases the probability of you getting a ticket or hurting other drivers, both of which affect your car insurance rates.

Tickets

As stated above, road rage and reckless driving often lead to breaking the rules of the road. If you’re frustrated or in a hurry, you’re more likely to run a stoplight, drive over the speed limit, or cut off another driver. These and other traffic violations lead to police officers pulling you over and giving you a ticket. While a single speeding ticket probably won’t impact your auto insurance rates, these violations can build up quickly. Too many tickets can even lead to the state suspending your license. These consequences can stay on your driving record for years, informing auto insurance companies about your history of reckless driving.

Aggressive Driving

When road rage leads to traffic violations, insurance companies begin to classify you as a high-risk driver. This means that you’re seen as more likely to commit traffic violations, get into accidents, or display other dangerous behaviors that can cost the company money. Some insurance providers won’t insure high-risk drivers, while others have exclusions on their policies and won’t offer certain options for your plan. You might also have to pay more for your plan than individuals with a clean driving record. No matter what, as a high-risk driver, you’re going to have a harder time finding an auto insurance policy that works for you.

Losing Your License

Even the most minor of violations can add up, and too many traffic violations can cause you to lose your license. Many states have a point system: every violation is worth a certain number of points and receiving too many points means the state will revoke your license. Minor moving violations like running a red light or speeding slightly will cost fewer points than major violations such as driving under the influence or attempting to flee the police. If you receive too many points—or lose your license any other way—the hassle doesn’t end when you reinstate it and regain your driving rights. Your state or DMV might require you to take certain driving courses or pay an extra fine. Your suspended license will also go on your driving record, which means insurance companies will know about it and likely label you as a more expensive high-risk driver.

SR22 Insurance

If your road rage causes you to lose your license, you will likely need SR22 insurance to reinstate it. Sometimes referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility, SR22 insurance is a special form that many states use to ensure high-risk drivers keep up with their insurance requirements. Insurance companies add SR22 insurance to your policy and make sure you meet the requirements every month. If you let your SR22 insurance lapse, the insurance company must contact your DMV, who will suspend your license once again. Some insurance companies don’t offer SR22 insurance, and the ones that do will likely charge you higher rates, which makes it harder to find a policy that works for you. Fortunately, Serenity Group can help you shop around for the best rates. If you’re looking for the cheapest SR22 insurance in California or anywhere else you drive, let Serenity Group find the best policy for you.

Accidents

In addition to legal consequences, road rage can also lead to dangerous accidents. High emotions, less focus, and shorter tempers can be destructive when you’re behind the wheel. While car accidents are relatively common, having multiple or serious incidents on your record means insurance companies will consider you a dangerous driver. Reckless or dangerous drivers are statistically more likely to get into more accidents, which means insurance companies are afraid you’ll cost them more money. To make up for this, they’ll likely charge you higher premiums if you have serious or multiple accidents on your record.

What You Can Do to Lower Your Rates

If your road rage—and any ensuing accidents or violations—causes your car insurance rates to go up, there are a few things you can do to counteract it. Always shop around and get multiple quotes before choosing an insurance policy. Every company is different, and just because a provider gave you a good deal in the past doesn’t mean they’re the best option currently. You should also be on the lookout for any discounts our insurance provider might offer, such as a good student, senior, or military discount. Perhaps most importantly, do your best to be a safe and responsible driver. Many violations leave your record over time. The better a driver you are, the better your insurance rates will be in the future.

What You Can Do to Avoid Road Rage

Now that you know how road rage can affect car insurance rates, you’re probably wondering how you can avoid these issues in the first place. Everyone gets annoyed or stressed occasionally, but you can’t let these emotions impact your driving. To keep yourself calm and relaxed behind the wheel, try listening to music, practice deep breathing techniques, and avoid driving when tired or stressed. If you know you’re prone to road rage, try to schedule your drives around heavy traffic times. You should also make a point of leaving extra space between yourself and the car in front of you.