DWI / DUI

Published on: January 1, 2012

Motorists face heightened police presence, especially during peak holiday seasons

by Stephen Bilkis

Driving is something that many of us take for granted. We are used to being able to get from place to place with ease and on our own schedule, barring any unforeseen traffic jams. Police enforcement of driving under the influence <a href="Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense. If you have been convicted of a DUI you need to call a New York Criminal Attorney right away. A rep will help you resolve your issue with the least amount of hassle.

“>DUI is on the rise, according to a study, and motorists need to be on the lookout for situations where police presence might be heightened, to avoid accidents with police officers who are just trying to keep our roads safe.

Being a police officer requires putting oneself in danger each and every day for the safety of all, and that is something that many motorists overlook, says the authority. Heightened police presence, especially during peak holiday seasons, raises the danger factor. Police who are in pursuit of motorists could be involved in a chase, for example, which puts citizens at risk. The risk of a drunk driver DWI killing someone is greatly reduced once they are caught, but catching them can sometimes turn into a deadly game in itself.

Published on: December 31, 2011

Model Police Detective Lets Down His Community and His Department with DWI Arrest

by Stephen Bilkis

A report commented on how a model police detective, a professional with a sterling arrest record and meritorious conduct record, disappointed his community and his co-workers when he was arrested for DWI last week. The detective was arrested after officers noticed his erratic driving while operating an unmarked police vehicle. Charged with drunk driving on Friday night and arrested, the detective was arraigned in Albany court on Monday, but would not comment on his case. The detective is the spokesperson for the local police department and reporters are accustomed to his detailed reports on crimes for which arrests have been made or verdicts been given by the local court.

Residents were not pleased with the conduct of one of their local heroes. Most of their responses had to do with disappointment over the hypocrisy involved in the detective’s behavior. One woman said she was disappointed that the detective had been enforcing laws he couldn’t uphold himself. Another resident commented on how telling it was that the detective refused a breathalyzer test at the time he was stopped. “That says a lot,” was all that one resident had to say about it.

The head of a local action group against drunk driving found a silver lining in the disappointing arrest made Friday night. The activist said that it was encouraging that local law enforcement was willing to arrest “one of their own” because in other counties it is not the case. She went on to say that she hoped the detective had learned his lesson in all of this, and that “He’s lucky he didn’t hit anybody.”

Published on: December 26, 2011

Shelby County DUI

by Stephen Bilkis

DUI charges have been filed against a Louisiana woman driving a commercial vehicle through the state of Kentucky last weekend, reports a person familiar with the case. The woman was stopped in Shelby County by a member of the Kentucky State Police.

According to a source, an officer with the Kentucky State Police Force reported that in the course of his routine inspection of her commercial vehicle, which was carrying hazardous materials, he found reason to believe that she was under the influence of alcohol.

The pending case against the woman, who is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was further solidified when the reporting officer uncovered an unconcealed, open bottle of alcohol in the passenger’s cabin of the car, within easy reach of the driver.

Published on: December 20, 2011

Police hunt in packs to locate impaired drivers

by Stephen Bilkis

It is fairly common for most people to instinctively hit their brakes when they see a police cruiser sitting on the side of the road, in many cases even when they are going the speed limit. People are by nature, creatures of habit, says a patrolman, and they instinctually react to situations over and over again in the same way even when such measures are uncalled for. But if your heart begins racing when you see one cop sitting lonely with his radar gun, imagine how you will feel when you drive a quarter mile and then find two more waiting for you.

Police in many states have begun to use a technique called the ‘wolf-pack’ to find DWI impaired drivers, particularly during the busy holiday season. A wolf pack involves a large number of officers deployed to the same small area to combat drunk driving by spotting offenders before they have a chance to hurt anyone, informs the authority. Police are well trained to identify the signs of DUI, driving under the influence of alcohol, but even so, there are a lot of cars on the road to watch.

The wolf pack technique puts more eyes on more drivers, and the officers communicate with each other via radio to alerts other officers of a potential impaired driver coming down the road, explains the source. This technique has proven very effective at identifying and stopping drunk drivers in their tracks. The next time you see one police officer sitting on the side of the Interstate waiting for his next traffic stop, you might want to be aware that there could be several more officers around who are watching you, as well. Of course if you aren’t breaking the law, then you won’t have anything to worry about, which is the safest and smartest way to go.

Published on: December 17, 2011

In California and other states, the cost of a DUI is high

by Stephen Bilkis

Driving under the influence of alcohol DWI is not only dangerous, but if you get caught doing it, it will definitely cost you, warns a policeman. Law enforcement agencies across the nation are adopting stronger policies against drinking and driving that are aimed at curtailing impaired motorists and saving lives, and many say their message seems to be getting through.

The study reports that DUI arrests in many states have increased due to the extra enforcement on the road, particularly during peak high volume holiday seasons when drinking and driving seems to be the most prevalent. In California alone, the number of arrests for driving under the influence has increased 18 percent since the year 2001. This increase in DUI arrests can be seen as successful, in that it is keeping impaired motorists off the streets and keeping innocent drivers safe from harm.

Driving under the influence of alcohol hurts and kills many people every year. According to the authorities, in 2010 there were approximately 211,000 arrests nationwide and more than 27,000 injuries or fatalities due to drinking and driving. Along with more enforcement, stricter penalties are given to those who break the law and drive while drunk. In the state of California, a first time DUI conviction can rack up more than $12,000 in fines, penalties, legal fees and increased insurance costs. Drinking and driving, authorities insist, is never worth the cost of other people’s safety, and those who are caught doing it will face higher fines and penalties in order to drive that fact home.

Published on: December 12, 2011

Kentucky Accident Ends In Arrest,

by Stephen Bilkis

An accident in the city of Paducah Kentucky over the weekend resulted in arrest, when the man responsible for the accident was charged with driving under the influence, DWI, when he crashed into another car in the intersection of Kentucky Dam Road and US 68 outside of Paducah, said a local familiar with the area.

According to police, the suspect (a fifty five year old male) originally from Paducah, collided with an elderly female Paducah resident and her passenger (both also from Paducah) as she made a left-hand turn off of Kentucky Dam Road onto Highway 68. The suspect, who was traveling along Kentucky Dam Road in the opposite direction, failed to yield or slow, and the suspect collided with the right side of the woman’s car.

One observer said accidents such as these are often challenging cases to prove fault in, when they do not involve external factors (such as intoxicated driving) DUI. Because the intersection has both a turn arrow and a green light, it was impossible for the investigating officers to determine whether the victim of the accident had actually had the right of way at the time of the collision. While this issue is moot during the trial portion of the case, the question of right-of-way could become important during sentencing.

Published on: December 11, 2011

Decrease in drunk driving arrests resulting from harsher penalties,

by Stephen Bilkis

Drunk driving, DWI, maims and kills many hundreds of people every year, and has long been a leading cause of death and accidents on our highways and city streets. It continues to be a prevalent threat to our health and safety on America’s roadways today, but apparently the threat is lessening. Perhaps harsher laws and stricter penalties for driving under the influence have contributed to the decline, as fewer people are being arrested for drunk driving now than just a few years ago, believes a reporter.

Arizona, alone, is a state that has seen and reported a dramatic decrease in the number of people arrested and cited for drunk driving, reports the study. In fact, while over 2700 people were arrested on drunk driving charges last December, that number was substantially lower than the 3600 Arizona drivers that were charged during the same time frame just one year earlier. Across the state, officers stopped almost 30,000 individuals for suspicion of drunk driving, which shows their dedication to keeping the roads safe.

Despite the large number of traffic stops, however, it seems that fewer people were arrested. Fewer arrests means less risk for the general public, affirms the source. Police have stepped up their watch in regards to driving under the influence, DWI, undergoing training and education that enables them to more readily point out those who are putting people at risk. There is something to be said for the ‘no tolerance’ policies that have put into place across the country. Keeping our citizens safe is an idea whose time has finally come.

Published on: December 6, 2011

Man receives five years of probation for driving drunk

by Stephen Bilkis

A 70-year-old man who killed a 57-year-old woman will most likely not see jail time as long as he does not violate the five years of formal probation he was sentenced to, the judge in the case said.

The man did not even have a traffic ticket before the struck the women, who was a Walnut Creek attorney, a reporter was told.

The accident occurred on a summer night. That summer night the man had drinks with a friend at three restaurants before heading home. On the way there, around 6:30 p.m., he hit a median, blew a tire, and continued on his way. His car hit the curb three more times before the second tire blew. He then jumped the curb and ran over the victim, who was taking a walk through the neighborhood. The woman had tried to run to get out of the way of the car but was struck 14 feet from the curb, reported a source.

Published on: December 4, 2011

DUI convictions invariably come back to haunt you

by Stephen Bilkis

Most people respect the law and don’t drink and drive. People who decide to take chances with other people’s lives will undoubtedly be better off if they are ticketed, but a DWI conviction is no walk in the park, either. Aside from the immediate risks of losing one’s driver’s license or having to take substance abuse classes, face a fine and even jail time, the DUI will invariably come back to haunt you in the future, according to a study.

Old DUI’s don’t just disappear, they often show up on your record when applying for a job or a routine credit check. In the case of one Florida woman who was fighting to become head of the state Republican Party, her old DWAI conviction may have cost her an election. The fact is, even if you were not convicted of a crime, the charge alone can scare off potential employers and those influential in making decisions on your behalf.

The key to avoiding all of this hassle and potential headache, believes the expert, is to just stay sober in the first place if you know that you will be getting behind the wheel. Law enforcement is continually making the punishments for driving under the influence more stringent in an effort to curb drunk driving and save lives. If having a good time with alcohol before you drive might make your life miserable later on, then just say no.

Published on: November 29, 2011

Man who killed Angels pitcher in car crash sentenced to prison

by Stephen Bilkis

A life behind bars is no way for a 23 year old to spend his time, after all a person that young has barely had enough time to experience life on his own terms. Unfortunately, when your life experience takes another person’s life away, prison time is the likely result. For the man who killed Angels pitcher and two other people in 2009 while he was DWI and speeding in the middle of the night, there will be plenty of time to think of what he has done.

The man has been found guilty of three felony counts of murder and has been sentenced to 51 years to life in prison for the deaths. As sad as a life in prison may be, it is sadder still that three families, countless friends and thousands of fan’s lives have been forever burdened by the sorrow and sadness of losing those who died. The driver had more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit in his bloodstream two hours after the crash occurred. There was no way he would have been able to functionally drive.

Police reports said the man ran a red light going 65 mph in a 35 mph zone and struck the car carrying four people, one of them was a new pitcher for the Angels of Anaheim baseball team. He and his friends had been out celebrating his fourth major league game, played just hours before. Only one of the people in the car survived, informs the reporter, and the accident left him permanently disabled. Tragedy can happen anywhere, but it happens most often when people abuse the privilege of drinking and take it out on the road. The sooner we let it sink in that driving drunk is NEVER acceptable, the safer our streets will be. This is murder.