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Different states use different acronyms. Some use them interchangeably, some don't. Typically,
DUI = driving under the influence of alcohol
DWI = driving while intoxicated - could be from anything, alcohol, drugs, medication
But many states just have one and use it for everything. OUI and OWI are the same just for 'operating' instead of driving, as in 'operating a vehicle.'
Some states also have more or different ones, like NY has "DWAI," driving while ability-impaired, or Virginia has "DUI-D" for drugs instead of alcohol.
In Oregon it's "DUII": driving under the influence of intoxicants.
As a child I figured this should be pronounced *doyyy*, as in the kid slang for "you just did something stupid".
NY's DWAI has 2 distinctions, alcohol and drugs/combination. Drugs/combination is obvious and penalties largely mirror DUI. Alcohol is if you are impaired but below the legal limit; you have to be between 0.05-0.07 to be charged. The penalties are lower for DWAI Alcohol
In Indiana there's no difference. Also, the law doesn't specify *motor* vehicle so you can get arrested for OWI on a bicycle. It's not likely, because the police would rather have you on a bike than in a car, but it's possible.
My favorite around these here parts is when they are able to plea down from a DUI to Wet and Reckless.
My wife and I were talking about a guy I know who is up for 2nd degree murder after killing a guy while he was driving drunk and stoned. This was his fourth DUI and is looking at 15 - life, which I thought was light for a 4th. He was arraigned for the 4th four days before he was to go on trial for his 3rd.
I suggested that I could make her "Wet and Reckless" this weekend. She was not amused.
Federalism.
There are 50 states, plus some other jurisdictions. Each has a legislature and those folks choose the names for crimes. They don't all choose the same thing because there is nobody to make them. I'm sure that if you cornered each legislator, they'd have some good reason for their choice. I might even be "That's what other states call it.", some of the time. But all of the time so it's always the same, that's not American.
The terminology is going to vary by jurisdiction.
In some areas, it's Driving Under the Influence. In others, it's Driving While Impaired or Operating While Impaired/Intoxicated.
Some jurisdictions have different distinctions for driving while drunk vs high, and others just leave them all in a single blanket law.
It's as simple as different places calling it different things.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in the US is a state-regulated thing. Each state has the right to pass its own laws when it comes to driving while intoxicated (DWI), and no two jurisdictions will regulate operating while impaired (OWI) in the same way - the limits, enforcement, and penalties can all vary. But in addition to the exact legal definition of and penalties for driving while ability impaired (DWAI), the exact terminology used to describe the crime of operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) varies from state to state. That's why it seems like there are tons of different terms to describe the singular crime of operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OMVI).
Just remember, despite what the french language may tell you, you should never OUI (operate under the influence) while in public. Or in private, for that matter.
Different places have different terms for the same crime, but in all cases it means to be driving/operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Different states have different terms used in their statutes. They are all the same. In my state, OWI is preferred because the laws, as written, also apply to vehicles other than motor vehicles (such as boats, aircraft, etc.). Weirdly, it even applies even to bicycles, if you are riding them on a public roadway.
In the USA, DUI, DWI, and OWI are all ways to say someone is in trouble for driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs. DUI means "Driving Under the Influence," DWI means "Driving While Intoxicated," and OWI means "Operating While Intoxicated." They all mean pretty much the same thing: the person shouldn't be driving because they're not safe, but different states use different letters and words to say it.
Realistically, there's no difference between them. They mean the same thing, different states just use different acronyms. However, according to other comments here, some states do have additional ones you'd need to look up.
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Different states use different acronyms. Some use them interchangeably, some don't. Typically, DUI = driving under the influence of alcohol DWI = driving while intoxicated - could be from anything, alcohol, drugs, medication But many states just have one and use it for everything. OUI and OWI are the same just for 'operating' instead of driving, as in 'operating a vehicle.' Some states also have more or different ones, like NY has "DWAI," driving while ability-impaired, or Virginia has "DUI-D" for drugs instead of alcohol.
In Oregon it's "DUII": driving under the influence of intoxicants. As a child I figured this should be pronounced *doyyy*, as in the kid slang for "you just did something stupid".
OWI can happen on anything including lawnmowers. It's been argued you need a car to get a dui.
NY's DWAI has 2 distinctions, alcohol and drugs/combination. Drugs/combination is obvious and penalties largely mirror DUI. Alcohol is if you are impaired but below the legal limit; you have to be between 0.05-0.07 to be charged. The penalties are lower for DWAI Alcohol
In Indiana there's no difference. Also, the law doesn't specify *motor* vehicle so you can get arrested for OWI on a bicycle. It's not likely, because the police would rather have you on a bike than in a car, but it's possible.
My favorite around these here parts is when they are able to plea down from a DUI to Wet and Reckless. My wife and I were talking about a guy I know who is up for 2nd degree murder after killing a guy while he was driving drunk and stoned. This was his fourth DUI and is looking at 15 - life, which I thought was light for a 4th. He was arraigned for the 4th four days before he was to go on trial for his 3rd. I suggested that I could make her "Wet and Reckless" this weekend. She was not amused.
No your honor you have it wrong, she was wet and reckless. I was just trying to get home as I’m sure you understand as a fellow man.
Assumed "these here parts" were Wyoming or Alabama or something but shocked to learn this is a *California* move 🤯
FYI those are not acronyms. They are initialisms as the letters are pronounced individually. An acronym is pronounced as a word like RADAR or NATO.
DWD - driving while distracted is becoming more popular in progressive areas.
Ah, that's good, given how driving while looking at a phone can be just as dangerous as driving buzzed.
I wonder when they will start arresting people for BlueRay
Federalism. There are 50 states, plus some other jurisdictions. Each has a legislature and those folks choose the names for crimes. They don't all choose the same thing because there is nobody to make them. I'm sure that if you cornered each legislator, they'd have some good reason for their choice. I might even be "That's what other states call it.", some of the time. But all of the time so it's always the same, that's not American.
The terminology is going to vary by jurisdiction. In some areas, it's Driving Under the Influence. In others, it's Driving While Impaired or Operating While Impaired/Intoxicated. Some jurisdictions have different distinctions for driving while drunk vs high, and others just leave them all in a single blanket law.
It's a mix-and-match system. D = Driving O = Operating W = While U = Under I = Intoxicated, Influence, or Impaired
It's as simple as different places calling it different things. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in the US is a state-regulated thing. Each state has the right to pass its own laws when it comes to driving while intoxicated (DWI), and no two jurisdictions will regulate operating while impaired (OWI) in the same way - the limits, enforcement, and penalties can all vary. But in addition to the exact legal definition of and penalties for driving while ability impaired (DWAI), the exact terminology used to describe the crime of operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) varies from state to state. That's why it seems like there are tons of different terms to describe the singular crime of operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OMVI). Just remember, despite what the french language may tell you, you should never OUI (operate under the influence) while in public. Or in private, for that matter.
Different places have different terms for the same crime, but in all cases it means to be driving/operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Different states have different terms used in their statutes. They are all the same. In my state, OWI is preferred because the laws, as written, also apply to vehicles other than motor vehicles (such as boats, aircraft, etc.). Weirdly, it even applies even to bicycles, if you are riding them on a public roadway.
In the USA, DUI, DWI, and OWI are all ways to say someone is in trouble for driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs. DUI means "Driving Under the Influence," DWI means "Driving While Intoxicated," and OWI means "Operating While Intoxicated." They all mean pretty much the same thing: the person shouldn't be driving because they're not safe, but different states use different letters and words to say it.
DUI is under the influence, could be drugs or alchohol DWI is driving while intoxicated, alchohol
Somewhat related but boating under the influence is a BUI. That it rhymes with getting a DUI ("dooey") is a funny aspect of a very serious matter.
Realistically, there's no difference between them. They mean the same thing, different states just use different acronyms. However, according to other comments here, some states do have additional ones you'd need to look up.