Unless you've been living in a cave for the past decade or so, you are probably aware that drunken driving is both dangerous and illegal. Over the past several years, laws regarding drinking and driving have tightened and penalties have increased nationwide. Illinois is no different. Of course, there's a reason the laws against driving under the influence (DUI) are so strict. Drinking and driving can have deadly consequences, and all too often it's innocent bystanders who suffer them, rather than the drunk driver. Here is what you need to be aware of in order to stay safe and legal behind the wheel of a vehicle in Illinois.

Alcohol and Driving 

Why is it so dangerous to drink and drive? Think about it: driving involves piloting a 1-ton steel machine at relatively high speeds while avoiding obstacles such as other vehicles, trees, and telephone poles. Accomplishing this task requires good reflexes, coordination and judgment. Accomplishing this task requires good reflexes, coordination and judgment. After a few drinks, these faculties go right out the window. Read more...

Drugs and Driving 

In Illinois, it is just as illegal to drive under the influence of drugs as it is to drive under the influence of alcohol. You should be aware that if you arrested for DUI and any trace of an illegal drug shows up in your system, that is evidence enough to charge and convict you. Read more...

DUI/DWI Basics 

Everyone knows that drinking and driving is not a smart move. It's dangerous, illegal, and someone could get hurt or killed. Yet, in 2004, 50,147 people in Illinois were arrested for driving drunk. There's a fine line between being "okay to drive," and being DUI. How do you know when you've crossed it? Read more...

DWI Attorney Directory 

Need the services of a DWI Attorney? Find one in your area. Read more...

DWI Attorneys 

After you are released on bail, you will have an initial court date scheduled, called an arraignment. At the arraignment, you will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, a date will be set for your trial. You need to have an attorney to advise you and represent your interests, even before the arraignment. In some parts of Illinois, videos and other crucial evidence about your arrest may be destroyed as early as the 30th day after your arrest, unless you or your lawyer request otherwise. Read more...

DWI Costs 

In addition to saddling you with a permanent criminal record, an Illinois DUI conviction is expensive! According to the Illinois Secretary of State, a first-time DUI conviction can easily cost $14,660 when you include all of the fines, lost income, increased insurance and fees for substance abuse classes. Read more...

DWI Laws 

In Illinois, intoxication is measured primarily by your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If you have a BAC of .08 or higher, you are considered to be intoxicated no matter how drunk or sober you feel. If you have a BAC of .05 to less than .08, you are not automatically considered intoxicated, but you could still be charged with DUI if there is additional evidence that can demonstrate impairment on your part. If your BAC is less than .05, you are off the hook. Read more...

DWI Penalties 

List of penalties. Read more...

DWI Statistics 

Unfortunately, every year hundreds of Illinois drivers find out about the dangers of drinking and driving the hard way. For example, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's office, in 2004 604 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Illinois. In fact, 44% of all fatal crashes in Illinois that year were caused by drunken driving. Read more...

Implied Consent 

Illinois has an implied consent law, which means that the act of getting behind the wheel of a car indicates that you have consented to take a chemical test if a police officer believes you are under the influence. If you decide to refuse a chemical test, the police will not force you to take one. However, you will face stiff penalties for not doing so. For example, on the first offense, your driver's license will be suspended for 6 months. Read more...

Sobriety Tests

Illinois uses three different types of chemical tests to calculate your blood alcohol level: breath, urine and blood. Of the three, the breath test is used most often, as it is the least invasive and the easiest for officers to perform. The first machine that was able to analyze a person's breath to determine their BAC was invented in 1938 in Indiana by Dr. R. N. Harger. It was known as the "Drunkometer." In 1953, Dr. Robert Borkenstein revolutionized the field by inventing a machine called the Breathalyzer, which was easier to transport and use. Despite their long history of use in the United States, breath tests can be inaccurate, however. Read more...