What is the difference between a DUI and a DWI?
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at
12:39 am
Don’t worry, I have never been arrested or have a record, I’m just curious because I’ve heard both these acronyms used.
One friend of mine says that a DUI is driving under alcohol intoxication while DWI is driving under the influence of drugs. But another friend of mine says it doesn’t matter, they’re both the same. I’m confused.
Tagged with: acronyms • alcohol intoxication • driving under the influence • driving under the influence of drugs • dui • dwi • google • script type • text javascript
Filed under: Car Accidents And Injuries
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Both DUI and DWI refer to the illegal act of driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. The chief difference lies in what the letters mean. DUI designates driving under the influence, while DWI refers to driving while intoxicated. While they may sound identical on the surface, some states actually classify them as separate crimes.
If you live in a jurisdiction that classifies them separately, DUI is the lesser charge. A DUI charge denotes a lesser degree of impairment than a DWI for a driver charged with drinking and driving. Level of impairment is determined by the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest. In some cases, the state may agree to a plea bargain, reducing a more serious charge of DWI to DUI. Have you been charged with DWI? If you live in a state that classifies the offenses separately and would like to have your DWI charge reduced, it is important to enlist the help of an experienced defense attorney
DUI is impairment.
DWI is legally drunk.
They are usually used interchangably, but different states actually separate them. It explains it here: http://www.duivsdwi.org/index.html
Burt, nice copy and pasting job from the link I provided.
DUI - is driving under influence of drug or alcohol and is under certain percentage of criteria of DWI.
You can compare how the insurance quotes would change, for example here - autoinsurance.noneto.com
DWI: Driving While Intoxicated
DUI: Driving Under the Influence
Many states changed the term Driving While Intoxicated to DUI because some people were BOTH drunk and using drugs. DUI covers both. >>>