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Danger on Texas highways: Many San Antonio drunk drivers are repeat offenders

I just read about a tragic accident that occurred in San Antonio last weekend. Four members of a family were killed by a drunk driver. The female driver had a prior drunk driving conviction.

Nearly 50% of the 1,500,000 people arrested for drunk driving each year are repeat drunk drivers. Many of these drivers are driving on a suspended or revoked license. In fact, it is estimated that 50 to 70 percent of drivers who have their licenses revoked for driving while under the influence continue to drive. Many even drive within minutes after having their licenses revoked.

Statistically, a driver who has one or more DUI or DWI convictions is 1.4 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a driver with no DUI or DWI conviction. Drivers convicted of alcohol-impaired driving in the past three years are at least 1.8 times more likely to be in a fatal crash than drivers with no DUI or DWI convictions during the same time period. They are four times as likely to be involved in fatal crashes in which drivers have high BACs of 0.10 percent or more. In fact, many repeat DUI offenders drive with a BAC greater than .15 percent.

Texas has strict drunk driving laws. In Texas, the legal limit for intoxication is .08 BAC. However, if a police officer believes that a driver’s ability to drive is impaired, they may stop and arrest that person for driving while intoxicated (DWI) regardless of their BAC.

DWI Penalties in Texas

First conviction
• $2,000 fine
• Six months behind bars
• Suspended driver's license for up to a year
• Fine of $1,000 every year for three years to keep driver's license

Second conviction
• $4,000 fine
• One year in jail
• Suspended driver's license for up to two years
• Fine of $1,500 every year for three years to keep driver's license
• Those who are convicted of two DWIs within five years will have their vehicle equipped with an expensive special ignition switch that prevents it from starting if the driver has been drinking.

Third conviction
• $10,000 fine
• Two to ten years in prison
• Suspended driver's license for up to two years
• $2,000 every year for three years to keep your driver's license

Anyone arrested for DWI driving with a child under 15 in vehicle faces felony charges as well as a $10,000 fine, two years in a state jail and loss of their license for two years. Drunk drivers who are under age 21 face fines, license suspension, community service, and up to 40 hours in a mandatory alcohol awareness class. If a young driver's BAC is .08 or greater, he will face the same criminal penalties as an adult.

Drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents face felony manslaughter charges. hey may also face civil charges.

Despite these laws, Texas leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities.

If someone you love was killed by a drunk driver in Texas, you have rights. Exercising your right to compensation won’t bring your loved one back, but it can help you to move on. To learn more, contact the Brownsville car accident attorneys at The Cowen Law Group.

When you call, ask for your free copy of “The Insider’s Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases.”

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