Are DWAI Violations Close to Arriving in Texas?
Most of us know about DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). How many of you know about DWAI?
Driving While Ability Impaired is a lesser offense that punishes individuals who are caught driving under the in
fluence at lower levels of impairment. DWAI has some similarities with our current Texas DWI laws. It is enforced in New York and Colorado, with the punishments of four-figure fines, license suspension, jail time and community service for repeat offenders in both states.
Recently, police chief Art Acevedo of Austin, Texas, expressed his opinions in supporting DWAI to be enforced in the state. The proposed change would be for offenders with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between 0.05 and 0.07. The magic BAC number for someone to be considered legally intoxicated is 0.08.
While it carries a less-severe punishment than a DWI, a DWAI, would be just as detrimental on personal records, especially if someone would compile multiple DWAIs. Back in September, Acevedo told a Senate Criminal Justice Committee that DWAI charges would give prosecutors another plea-bargaining tool.
It’s still in discussion, and this conversation could be null and void soon, but if that becomes a law in the future, you may want to prepare yourself early and often. Contact our Dallas TX DWI layers for additional information on DWAI.