Guys, guys! I figured out how to get out of a DUI! Don't drink and drive! Who'd a thunk it?
They had to pick a number. .08 is it. And that is based on research with test groups. The average person who has reached that BAC is impaired physically and mentally.
People are dying and suffering life-altering injuries because of it. As for harsh penalties, what about the person who is now on his or her third DUI? The penalties from before did not work well enough, evidently.
So, go ahead and have a good cry and pound sand. As for knowing people who "only had one drink" and got arrested, did they get convicted? And, if it was .08 or greater, it was more than one drink.
On the flip side, you do not have to answer questions. But do remember this. If the cop asks you if you had anything to drink tonight and you say anything other than "no," it is now a DUI stop. You do not have to perform sobriety tests and those are not actually about physical agility. They are about watching your eyes and hearing your speech. Make them get a warrant for blood. Realize that you are getting arrested and going to jail. But, if you keep your mouth shut, you may not be convicted. Especially if the BAC test shows below the legal limit.
You do not have to tell the police about past events, such as any drinking prior to the stop. You don't have to say where you were. In fact, only identify yourself with license and insurance and then "STFU."
Is it unfair? That's academic. Don't drink and then drive. Period. Have we all done it? Probably. Does not make it right or excusable. We have ideals to hold to and that separates us from animals.
And for those who say that we do not need cops to deal with this, what is your solution? Wholesale murder of the suspect? How do you know that suspect was drunk? That would be a blood test, right? How did you get that done?
What if you had a few and did not feel "drunk" but got in an accident and someone got hurt. Then it is your turn in the crosshairs.