Traffic Law DUI/DWI
| Elements of OUI/OWI (Operating Under the Influence or While Intoxicated) |
|
| There are various statutory formulations used to describe the requisite elements of the criminal act of drunk driving. In a number of states, the requisite act consists solely of ''operating.'' These laws are known by the acronyms, OWI (driving while intoxicated) or OUI (driving under the influence). More... |
|
|
| Penalties for Vehicular Homicide |
|
| Vehicular homicide is a serious crime with serious penalties. The penalties for this crime vary depending on the state where the homicide occurred, the degree of the homicide, and any aggravating or mitigating circumstances. Vehicular homicide can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony offense. More... |
|
|
| Criminal Offense of Attempting to Elude |
|
| It is against the law to attempt to elude a police officer by willfully failing to stop a vehicle if the officer gives you an audible or visual signal to stop and the police officer is in uniform, prominently displaying a badge or other insignia. If a police officer is in an appropriately marked official police vehicle when he or she gives the signal stop, whether or not the officer is in uniform, the vehicle driver may not attempt to elude the officer by willfully failing to stop the vehicle. More... |
|
|
| Criminal Offense of Defective Equipment on a Motor Vehicle |
|
| Because an improperly maintained motor vehicle threatens a grave risk of serious bodily harm or death, the maintenance of a vehicle is of the utmost importance to the driving public. The responsibility for minimizing that risk or compensating for the failure to do so properly rests with the person who owns and operates the vehicle. Accordingly, state vehicle codes usually declare that it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle unless it is in such safe mechanical condition that its operation on the highway will not endanger the driver, a passenger, or any other person on the highway. Thus, these codes impose a duty upon the operator to see to it that the vehicle is properly equipped as to maintain control and pose no menace to other traffic on the highway. More... |
|
|
| Criminal Offense of Failure to Use/Improper Use of Turn Signals, Headlights, and Emergency Flashers |
|
| In the exercise of its police power, a state may establish minimum equipment and usage standards for lighting equipment of motor vehicles, including headlamps, rear lighting, turn signals, and hazard warning lights. More... |
|
|