Posted on March 03, 2017 in DWI / DUI

Founded as an advocate for driver and passenger rights, fair laws, and vehicle safety, Triple A or AAA, or formally known as the American Automobile Association, has remained instrumental in the advancement of motor vehicle safety, environmental issues and research to enhance the driving experience for over 100 years.

Some may think of AAA as their parent’s travel agency that also offered roadside vehicle assistance but today, Triple A has championed many issues, one of which is the danger of driving while under the influence of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Medication Usage

It is reported that nearly one-half of Americans are prescribed one or more prescriptions per 30 day period while 31 percent are prescribed two or more with 11 percent reporting three or more daily prescriptions per 30 day period.

Triple A has found that increases in prescription and over-the-counter drug usage is age-related with varying degrees of prescriptions or medications issued.

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 Posted on February 17, 2017 in DWI / DUI

Being charged and found guilty of driving while under the influence (DWI) can be a costly venture both financially and personally. Attorney fees, fines, possible restitution and a tarnished reputation but is there a way to put it all behind you?

If you reside in Texas, you and your attorney may find solace in the non-disclosure process described within Government Code 411.081(d). Often viewed as a method to provide those guilty of a misdemeanor to begin the process of regaining control of not only their private but public life. The process known as non-disclosure involves petitioning for a deferred adjudication and if successful can seal all records from dissemination from public view by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

As originally legislated, this process was confusing as even though a person charged with a DWI offense who received a reduction and further deferred adjudication his or her DWI arrest record was still available as a public record.

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 Posted on January 27, 2017 in Traffic Violations

The phone rings, it is three o’clock in the morning and your friend needs your help. After a night out on the Texas town your friend has come to the realization that they are too intoxicated to drive. Satisfied with your friend’s decision of not enlisting in the ranks with the reported 2.1% of Texans who have admitted to driving while having too much to drink, you are only happy to help. Clearly beyond the legal limit of a .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and not another soul in sight they surely made the smart decision of contacting you for help but there is one thing that could easily undo this good deed, your friend jumped in your car with an open container of alcohol.

Thankful you were available to help and save your friend from an almost certain driving while under the influence (DWI) charge or worse yet, an accident, not much thought has been given to the open beer as you continue the drive to his house.

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 Posted on January 13, 2017 in DWI / DUI

Mothers Against Driving® or MADD, the nation’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to protecting families from those choosing to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, at last count posted 600 official chapters across the United States, Texas included.

Currently in the great state of Texas alone, MADD® currently covers each navigational region as offices can be found in such Texas cities as

• Austin,
• El Paso,
• Houston,
• Irvine,
• San Antonio, and
• Tyler.

Following the death of a founding member’s daughter due to an alcohol-related crash on September 5, 1980, MADD has been promoting their message of no more victims and has recently published viable information for the public to become involved in their campaign.

How to Identify a Possible Impaired Driver

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 Posted on January 03, 2017 in DWI / DUI

One dark and snowy night in Paris, 2008, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp were frustrated and troubled when trying to hail a cab. Thinking there had to be a better way, their solution would revolutionize how we get from Point A to Point B with just a few clicks on our smartphones. Uber was born.

By downloading the Uber app, we now can rely seemingly on technology to solve

our logistical needs. Need a ride, have a package to deliver or without worry, plan a night out on the town without a possible arrest looming for driving while under the influence (DWI)? With one quick tap of an app, a low-cost car is on its way.

Great ideas beget competition and in 2012, Lyft, another private transportation startup, also launched a mobile app and now operates in 65 countries and the United States and continues to expand its horizons. Uber is doing the same.

Although these private ride-share companies provide transportation for many people for many different reasons it should be evident that by requesting a ride with Uber or Lyft would be instrumental in decreasing the number of DWI arrests and related vehicle accidents.

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 Posted on December 20, 2016 in DWI / DUI

A Chattanooga, Tennessee man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of reckless endangerment and reckless driving resulting in the deaths of five elementary school children. Additionally, two dozen children were transported to local hospitals to assess injuries.

First responders worked for hours to free the children from the twisted wreckage while parents anxiously looked on.

The probable cause, speeding. It has been reported that the bus was excessively accelerating, lost control around a bend and nearly ripped in two as it hit a tree.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher described the scene as “every public safety professional’s worst nightmare”. No doubt there will be additional testing for possible driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.

As the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash, it is estimated, on a national level, that school buses still remain the safest mode of transportation for school districts. As the investigation and possible additional charges remain to be seen, some parents may be left wondering as to just how safe are their children?

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 Posted on November 30, 2016 in DWI / DUI

In the state of Texas, even a first DUI/DWI can result in heavy penalties, including the loss of a license, jail time, fines, and an annual fee to retain your license once it can be reinstated. What happens, though, when a first mistake turns into a second or third? What are the consequences for those who are caught driving intoxicated years later, or beyond a third time? The following outlines the laws in Texas for subsequent DWI convictions.

Second and Third DUI Convictions

Texas has an indefinite “lookback” period, meaning your DUIs and DWIs are never truly forgotten by the justice system. Every conviction counts against you, regardless of how much time has lapsed. So, even if your last conviction was 20 years ago, and you were recently arrested for an allegedly driving intoxicated, you are looking at charges for a second DWI.

If convicted, you could face up to a year in jail, a two-year suspension of your driver’s license, an annual fee to retain your license to retain your license once it can be reinstated, and a fine of up to $4,000. If your second conviction is within five years from your first, you must also have an interlock ignition device installed in your vehicle. This prevents you from operating your vehicle if you have been drinking.

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 Posted on November 13, 2016 in DWI / DUI

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) correlates impaired driving or driving under the influence (DUI) with an even larger problem, alcohol misuse, and abuse. This definition is supported by cold hard financial data as vehicle accidents total over $37 billion annually with over 52 percent of fatalities related directly to driving under the influence.

With the advent of the holiday season through to New Year’s Eve, the results can be even more devastating and is often referred to as "DUI season." The unofficial start of DUI season is typically Thanksgiving Eve, sometimes referred to as "Black Wednesday" and is documented to be the busiest night of the year for DUI arrests.

As these startling statistics continue to raise concerns, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD), a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping impaired driving is proudly once again promoting the Tie One On For Safety® Campaign.

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 Posted on October 29, 2016 in DWI / DUI

Occurring several weekends throughout the year, Texas police officers make a valiant effort to lessen the numbers of fatalities and other accidents resulting from DUI and DWI. The most well-known efforts around the state are "No-Refusal Weekends." These events are named aptly in that refusal for testing becomes more difficult, however, it may be very misleading to unassuming drivers unfamiliar with their rights during these situations. As a United States citizen, you have certain constitutional rights on which even Texas officers cannot infringe.

How No-Refusal Weekends Work

No-Refusal Weekends occur around major holidays or sporting events, such as Thanksgiving Day, New Years, and the Super Bowl. With plenty of audio and visual advertisement alerting drivers the weekend is near, the intent is to crack down on the amount of drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated. However, the name is confusing to many who incorrectly assume you have to succumb to any requested testing.

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 Posted on October 12, 2016 in DWI / DUI

When you are charged and convicted of a DWI or DUI, there are certain limitations imposed by the state. One obvious alteration is the loss of unlimited driving privileges, in some cases. Did you also know that a DUI on your record can prevent you from traveling to other countries? For some, a travel ban puts a damper on their holiday travel dreams. For others, this can be a massive disruption to their work productivity.

Access Denied

Throughout the United States, if you have been convicted of a DUI and have taken care of it legally, you typically can travel across borders to other states. Although the United States is becoming increasingly progressive through its laws, not all countries feel the same way. Therefore, even if the law locally is a misdemeanor or you can retain certain privileges due to your circumstances, constituents can deny access. In some of these countries, if you have had one DUI for either alcohol or drugs, you are unable to enter the country for ten years. Frequently traveled countries follow these current guidelines:

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