Negligent Driving VS DUI: What are the Legal Repercussions?

Anyone  who drives in a manner that endangers the life or property of another is guilty of negligent driving in the eyes of the law. The legal repercussions differ when a driver is convicted of driving negligently under the influence of alcohol. In other words, negligent driving and driving under the influence (DUI) cases are dealt with differently in the court.

Here we will find out the difference between negligent driving and DUI driving in the context of legal decision-making and proceedings.

Negligent Driving: An Overview

Negligent driving refers to driving in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, harm to other people or their property. It means driving in a reckless manner that endangers the life of others. Speeding, running a red light, ignoring a stop sign, using a cellphone while driving, and not stopping at pedestrian crossings are all examples of negligent driving.

Anyone holding a driver’s license is legally obligated to follow the rules of the road and take care to avoid hurting passengers, motorists, or pedestrians. Driving in such a way that leads to accidents will result in negligent driving charges.

A person found guilty of negligent driving has to pay compensation to any affected persons, whether the accident occurred due to willful or unintentional disregard for road safety rules. Whether the person unintentionally or intentionally runs a red light or violates speed limits, he or she will have to suffer legal consequences. Having said that, willful disregard of road rules will have more serious consequences as compared to unintentional violations of rules.

Overview of DUI Driving

Of all the different types of negligent driving cases, DUI or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has the most severe legal consequences. More than one third of traffic fatalities in the US occur due to negligent driving while intoxicated. If a person is convicted of negligent driving while under the influence, he or she will face severe penalties, including incarceration.

In every state in the US, driving under the influence is considered a criminal offence. In the legal context, driving under the influence means that the driver’s ability to drive was impaired by either a legal or illegal substance. A person can be convicted of a DUI offense if his/her blood alcohol content has been found to be 0.08% or higher whether the impairment is obvious or not.

Before a driver can be convicted of driving under the influence, it must be proven in court that the impaired person was actually driving the vehicle when the accident occurred. If the person was sitting in the passenger seat, then he or she may not be convicted of a DUI offense.

DUI charges can result in severe penalties including jail time and even loss of one’s driver’s license. When faced with DUI charges, it is important to get in touch with a professional attorney. This legal expert can evaluate your case and ensure that you face the minimum possible penalty for the offense.