Many of us in Warrenton traveled to be with family this past Thanksgiving weekend. If you drove, whether it was a matter of 10 miles or 100 miles, it is possible that you were one of the unfortunates to be pulled over by the police due to a suspected traffic infraction.

Some of these infractions are relatively minor, such as failing to wear a seat belt or speeding. Still, some are more serious, such as being pulled over for driving under the influence.

The statistics on Thanksgiving traffic infractions

To understand the scope of the problem, it can help to look at the statistics. Virginia police cited over 5,000 people for speeding, over 1,500 people for reckless driving and 65 people for DUI/DWI on the five-day Thanksgiving weekend in 2021.

The difference between DUI and DWI

There is a difference between receiving a DUI and a DWI in Virginia, although they are similar offenses.

A DWI means you are driving while intoxicated. This means your blood alcohol content registered as 0.08 or higher. This can be assessed through the use of a breath test. A BAC of 0.08 serves as the only evidence needed to show that you were driving while intoxicated.

A DUI means that you were driving under the influence of alcohol, meaning your speech, coordination and behavior are impacted by alcohol and you are unable to drive safely. This impact is assessed through observation and field sobriety tests.

A DUI can also mean you are driving while impaired by drugs. This includes having specific milligrams of certain drugs in your blood as assessed by a blood draw.

Penalties for DUI/DWI

The penalties between DUI and DWI in Virginia can vary depending on the level of drunkenness you were at when you were arrested. Also, subsequent offenses will result in harsher penalties.

You can learn more about the penalties for receiving a DUI/DWI by discussing the topic with a professional. A professional can also provide assistance if you have received a DUI or DWI and are wondering what this means for your future.