Month: September 2016

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Underage DUI Laws in Pennsylvania

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

The legal drinking age in Pennsylvania, like in all states in the nation, is 21. Any person under the age of 21 who chooses to consume alcohol recreationally is breaking the law. There are no exceptions. Drivers on the road who are under 21 account for less than 10 percent of all drivers, but they account for 12 percent of all fatalities linked to driving under the influence in Pennsylvania. This is only according to a single survey, but the numbers are startling nonetheless. Penalties for underage drinkers are harsher than those who consume alcohol legally.

The legal limit of alcohol in the blood for an adult driver is .08. The legal BAC for a person under the age of 21 is .02. If a driver under the age of 21 registers a .02 or higher when given a BAC test, they can be arrested for driving under the influence.… Read More

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What Happens to My Commercial License After a DUI?

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

If you have a commercial drivers license (CDL) in Pennsylvania, a DUI conviction can jeopardize not only your career, but your livelihood. While the penalties for a driving under the influence conviction are harsh for any driver, they are enhanced for anyone holding a CDL, specifically when the DUI occurs while driving a commercial vehicle.

It is a common misconception that nothing can happen to a CDL if a DUI occurs in a personal vehicle on personal time. This is quite simply untrue. Understanding what can happen to your CDL license if you are convicted of a DUI can help you make the best choices. Here is what can happen to you and your license.

Lower BAC

In the state of Pennsylvania, the legal limit for BAC is .08. If you have a CDL and are driving a commercial vehicle when you are pulled over, the legal limit drops to .04.… Read More

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Uber Testing Self-Driving Cars in Pennsylvania

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

Since its inception, Uber has become an easy way for people to get home who may otherwise drive drunk. However, those rides can be pretty pricey, depending on when they are needed. Now, Uber is looking to cut down those costs and make rides safer by introducing self-driving cars into their fleet. The first test of automated cars started on September 14 in Pittsburgh.

While this shift away from human drivers has been met with some resistance — namely, Uber drivers who rely on providing this service to make a living — it has overall been hailed as a push toward the future. However, Uber’s CEO, Travis Kalanick, has said the transition could take decades to complete. By that time, we could all have self-driving cars in our garages. Plus, Uber will still need operators to take over, should something go wrong with the car’s computer systems (however unlikely). One thing is for sure: With self-driving cars becoming more prominent, DUI accidents could drop dramatically.… Read More

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PA One of Most Lenient States for DUI

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

Every year, personal finance site WalletHub releases a detailed study regarding each state’s strictness on driving under the influence. Factors include jail time, fines, license suspensions and other consequences. What they found this year is that more and more states are cracking down on drunk drivers, forcing potential offenders to rethink their actions. As such, drunk driving fatalities fell by nearly 60 percent from 1982 to 2014.

WalletHub found that the strictest states are Arizona and Georgia. They both have minimum sentencing and stringent fines for driving under the influence. Pennsylvania, however, seems more lax on the matter. Our state ranked 48th overall. While this may seem like a good sign for drivers who do decide to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, there are more serious consequences to consider. Namely, other drivers and pedestrians are more at risk from repeat offenders.

An Overview of Pennsylvania’s Laws

If you are charged with drinking and driving, and it is your first offense, there is no minimum jail sentence.… Read More