Increased DUI and DUID Arrests in Pennsylvania

The end of 2011 closed out a decade of extreme and tough efforts by the Pennsylvania State Police on protecting the state’s roads and highways from drivers impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.  In 2010, Pennsylvania arrests for driving under the influence set a record number and the police’s ninth consecutive year in which the number of DUI arrests by state police increased.  The amount of DUI arrests throughout the state showed an increase of nearly 5 percent from 16,900 DUI arrests in 2009 to 17,695 in 2010.

According to Commissioner Frank Noonan, “Protecting the public is the highest priority for the Pennsylvania State Police.”   Noonan states, “Taking impaired drivers off the road is one of the best ways to keep our citizens safe.”

A report from the Pennsylvania State of Independence with statistics given by Pennsylvania State Police, showed a decrease in the number of alcohol-related crashes investigated by troopers from 4,625 in 2009 to 4,595 in 2010; while, 2011 showed an increase in drug and alcohol-related fatal crashes. Correspondingly, driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) in Pennsylvania increased in 2011, as well.

While police are continually on the look-out for drunk and other impaired drivers, many people who have been charged with a DUI in West Chester and other cities in Pennsylvania’s are unclear on the state’s DUI laws, or how a DUI can affect their futures.  Being arrested for DUI can happen to anyone, including doctors, lawyers, teachers and many other respectable professionals. No matter what you do for a living, a DUI arrest may potentially have severe effects on your career, education and/or personal life.

DUI convictions can result in a driver’s license suspension, suspended driving privileges, jail time, Installation of an ignition interlock device, alcohol highway safety course and fines starting at $300 to $5,000 for a first DUI in Pennsylvania, and depending on your Blood alcohol level (BAC).

Other common DUI charges include:

• Second DUI
• Third or Subsequent DUI
• DUI Breath Test
• DUI Blood Test
• Vehicular Homicide While Driving Under the Influence
• Vehicular Aggravated Assault While DUI
• Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
• Juvenile DUI

A DUI arrest is scary and has the power to harm many aspects of a person’s life, but there are steps one can take after being charged with a DUI to help protect his/her rights.  For certain first time offenders who are charged with driving under the influence in Pennsylvania, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program may be available. In many cases, this program permits dismissal of the DUI charges so the alleged offender can petition to have their record expunged. The DUI ARD program usually lasts for six months.

Call (610) 436-1410 to set up a free consultation with an experience West Chester DUI lawyer to learn more about the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program and other alternative options you may have after receiving a DUI charge in West Chester and surrounding areas.