What is the difference between a DUI and a DWI? Which is the lesser offense?

Question

I was just wondering.

Answer 1

I don't think they use the term DWI anymore but it means driving while intoxicated & DUI is driving under the influence. Basically, the are the same offense just different termanology. I think it was changed because "under the influence" is thought to be a broadened term to cover more offenses such as illegal drugs or prescription drugs, etc.

Answer 2

DUI (the lesser offense) Driving Under the Influence and DWI(the most severe) Driving While Intoxicated. The difference is is that, a DUI is an assumption for the presence of alcohol. Although you may not be drunk, your ability to drive will be determined through a battery of tests called Field Sobriety Tests and Breathalyzers. However, DWI's act in the very same fashion because of legal purposes but, depending on the severity of the crime other crimes may be involved, ie; Hit and Run, Accident, Fleeing and Eluding and Speeding are number one causes for DWI's whereas a DUI, .08 is a discretion matter and anything below a .08 is a moving violation and usually a citation is written to appear in court.

Answer 3

There is very little real difference. DUI means driving under the influence and can mean that you were drinking alcohol, taking medication, or drugs and you don't have to be intoxicated or legally drunk. That means you can be arrested and prosecuted even though you are not legally drunk but have some drug/alcohol in your system. DWI means driving while Intoxicated and means you would be legally drunk if this charge was levelled. Since DUI means that police discretion can be used without a great deal of questions, most police forces are using DUI as a method for prosecution. DWI requires a higher standard of proof but the punishments can be more severe. Either way, if you drive DUI or DWI and get caught, you're in deep doo doo. My suggestion -- don't drink, do drugs or stupid and drive. When you kill someone there is no bringing them back and living with it is a real nightmare. Just ask the young 23 yr. olds who just killed their friends. When you exceed the speed limit, drink and drive, or talk on cell phones while driving or even change your radio station or c.d., your attention is taken from the road. Split second diversions from the road have been fatal. A 16 year old was coming home from work and was fiddling with his CD player. He must have looked down for a second and when he did he crossed the median line and collided head on with another vehicle. He is dead and his parents are mourning. Please don't worry about the definitions. Don't be stupid and do either. When you're driving -- no cell phones, no changing radio stations or c.d.s or looking away from the road. Pay attention and realize that safety should always be first and foremost and that a split second could be the end of your life as you know it.

Answer 4

DWI is driving while intoxicated. Most laws that use this language, use it to describe the offense of driving drunk. DUI is driving under the influence. Most laws that use this language along with DWI use it for driving under the influence of drugs. There are laws that use DUI for both.

As for which is the lesser offence, it depends on the jurisdiction and the degree of the offence.

Answer 5

Both DWI and DUI are the same offense. Some states call it Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and others call it Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

Answer 6

what's the distinction? Jurisdiction! What manhattan calls a DWI (making use of on an identical time as Intoxicated) must be a DUI (making use of under the impression of an intoxicant) in Pennsylvania, and an OUI (working a motor vehicle under the impression of intoxicants) in Missouri. it extremely is the comparable offense extremely, the outcomes are in many cases extremely comparable, yet distinctive states call it by potential of distinctive names.

Answer 7

DWI used to be used (driving while intoxicated). However it was found that alot of times people are impaired and not due to alcohol. Thus it was changed to DUI (driving under the influence). This pertains to prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol, and any other substance that while using impairs your body to be a hazard while driving.

Answer 8

Different states have different statutes and different terminology. In my state we have operating while intoxicated (OWI) and Driving with a BAC in excess of .08%. People still generically refer to both as DWI. Operating while intoxicated requires actual proof of intoxication while the latter offense requires only proof of a BAC over .08 and operating a motor vehicle.

Answer 9

Nothing. They used to call it DWI, (driving while intoxicated) but now they call it DUI, (driving under the influence). I think this is because they realize that the 0.08 blood alcohol level which is the legal limit in most (if not all) states does not make you intoxicated, but does impare your driving.

Answer 10

The way I have heard it is, DUI is driving under the influence. DWI is driving while intoxicated. I was told that DWI was the worst of the two.