Arizona DUI Law

Letters
Thank you for the excellent cover story in this week’s issue of the Reader ( Cover Story, February 17 ). I saw the cover leaving a local store and saw El Cajon mentioned. I read it as soon as I got home. Wow, I was very impressed by the topic and how well the story was written.

Published Feb 25, 2011.
Read more: San Diego Reader

The DUI laws today can vary from state to state. For instance, I once knew someone in Texas who literally drove around everywhere with some kind of alcoholic drink in his hand without thinking twice about it, whereas in Arizona, if you get caught with an empty container in your car, you are facing some serious consequences. But why are the laws in Arizona so strict and why do so many people face jail time for even the most minor infraction?

I am not an advocate for drinking while driving. In fact, I feel there are too many people killed everyday for this very action. I do believe, however, that because of these ignorant individuals, too many arrests are being made for slight violations like medication usage that does not impair the ability to drive or for those who are not intoxicated at all yet are treated as though they were, simply because the officer on duty feels they might be.

Does this mean that the citizens who regularly drive while under the influence have ruined it for the rest of us who do not drink and drive? Not exactly. Generally speaking, if you are not drinking and driving, you will not be arrested for DUI but as in every other crime out there, there are those who do get charged for something they did not do. I feel it is those who cannot control their behavior who have caused the law enforcement agencies to become more wary of the rest of us. Can you blame them?

I’m sure every officer out there will have a story to tell you about a horrible car accident they once witnessed along with the tragedies of driving while intoxicated and just about every paramedic and ER employee will back them up.

I, being in my thirties, remember a time when it was easy for a teenager to buy a pack of cigarettes or some alcohol. All you had to do was pay someone standing outside the convenience store to go get you some or have a note from your mother stating you were buying it for her. That’s not so anymore and with good reason. I’d like to think that we, as humans, get smarter with time. Although that’s not always the case, with this issue, I think we have.

In September, 2008, the Arizona DUI laws regarding driving while intoxicated dramatically changed. Even the slightest inebriation can get you some jail time and cause you to lose your license, .08 percent to be exact.

So, who is at fault for the changes to these laws? Well, you could say it’s our grandparents who used to drink and drive on a regular basis or you could blame it on the countless parents who have lost children to drivers who were under the influence. Either way, it is a matter that needed to be looked at and changed. I say, it’s the fault of the inconsiderate drivers who always say, “It won’t happen to me.” Until it does and they’ve ruined the lives of others and themselves as well.

Originally published here.

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johnsonmerel

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