Category Archives: DUI
Pennsylvania Ramps Up Efforts to Target Heroin-Related Drug Crimes
In an effort to crack down on a growing heroin problem, Pennsylvania is joining with New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts to form an interstate coalition for investigating and prosecuting heroin traffickers. It is expected that other Northeastern states will join the group in the coming weeks. The idea for the coalition grew out of […]
Pennsylvania Legislature Passes Ignition Interlock Bill
In an effort to address Pennsylvania’s drunk driving problem, the state Senate approved a bill that will require DUI offenders whose blood alcohol concentration exceeded 0.10 to install ignition interlocks in their vehicles. The bill passed unanimously 50-0, and will proceed to the House, where it is expected to be approved. While ignition interlocks have […]
Tougher Pennsylvania DUI Laws Ineffective at Reducing Drunk Driving
When Pennsylvania lowered its legal alcohol limit from .10 to .08 in 2003, the expectation was that the stricter driving under the influence law would act as a deterrent, resulting in safer streets, fewer fatalities and fewer arrests for intoxicated driving. Additional changes in Pennsylvania DUI law mandated longer jail times for repeat offenders. Unfortunately, […]
How Effective Are DUI Checkpoints?
Labor Day wasn’t likely much of a holiday for the six people arrested at a DUI checkpoint in Lower Macungie Township over the weekend. In addition, of the 91 motorists who were stopped, eight were issued citations. Four of the arrests were for driving under the influence, while the other two were for possession of […]
Advocates Call for Increased Use of Ignition Interlock Devices
Since Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other safe-driving advocates have begun escalating campaigns against drunk driving, the number of states mandating the installation of Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) for all offenders has increased to 25 in recent years. But not many states require IIDs, a device that prevents drivers under the influence from operating their […]
Facing a Second DUI Charge in PA: What You Need to Know
Pennsylvania has been ramping up its efforts to eliminate driving under the influence over the past decade, and has introduced stricter penalties for both higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels and subsequent offenses. To begin with, the penalties you face will vary depending on the tier classification of DUI. Pennsylvania considers a BAC between .08 […]
Unexpected Charges for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious charge in Pennsylvania. Many a person has been somewhat surprised to face DUI charges after being stopped driving home from a restaurant or bar. One drink too many is all it takes. However, the rules governing controlled substances and the operation of motor vehicles are even harsher. […]
Strategies for Reducing Underage Drinking
In 2007, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a call to public health organizations to come up with strategies to reduce underage alcohol consumption. Even though the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, binge drinking and alcohol abuse among middle school, high school and college students causes more than 4,300 deaths per year, […]
What Are the Signs of DUID?
Since 2004, Pennsylvania has been training municipal police and state troopers as drug recognition experts (DREs). The signs that may indicate someone is driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) are not always the same signs someone driving inebriated may display. Unfortunately, most law enforcement officers do not get DRE training, and many DUID arrests […]
What Are “Reasonable Grounds” to Compel Chemical Testing for DUI in PA?
Pennsylvania has an implied consent law. Anyone who drives on the commonwealth’s roads has already consented to a blood, urine or breath test to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content level or the presence of controlled substances. But that’s only true when reasonable grounds exist. If the police have reasonable grounds to compel a test, […]
