OWI or Operating While Intoxicated

OWI or Operating While Intoxicated Addiction Alcohol Use Drunk Driving Print OWI or Operating While Intoxicated By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on May 25, 2019 Erik Von Weber / Getty Images More in Addiction Alcohol Use Drunk Driving Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Children of Alcoholics Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery OWI is an acronym for operating while intoxicated, referring to a legal charge for drunken driving. For the most part, the acronym that indicates a drunk driving charge depends on the state in which you are driving. Common Drunk Driving Acronyms Depending on the terminology the states lawmakers used when creating their drunk driving laws, the charge could be referred to by the following acronyms:DUI - Driving Under the InfluenceDWI - Driving While IntoxicatedOUI - Operating Under the Influence While ImpairedOVI - Operating a Vehicle While IntoxicatedOWI - Operating While Intoxicated Other acronyms are used to refer to charges related to the severity of the drunken driving charge: ADWI - Aggravated Driving While IntoxicatedDUII-CS - Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants: Controlled SubstancesDUII - Driving Under the Influence of IntoxicantsDWAI - Driving While Ability ImpairedOMVI - Operating a Motor Vehicle While ImpairedOUII - Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor DUI Is the Most Common Term The most common acronym used for drunken driving is DUI, which is used in most states for driving under the influence. States that use the term DWI include Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Texas, and West Virginia. The following terms are used in the states listed below: OWI - Indiana, IowaOUI - Massachusetts, Rhode IslandOVI - OhioDUII - Oregon 10 Things You Should Know About Getting a DUI Some States Use Multiple Terms Some jurisdictions use more than one of the above acronyms to refer to varying levels of severity of the crime and different levels of punishment. For example, some states use DUI to charge someone driving with a blood-alcohol content over the legal limit, but use DWI (driving while impaired) to charge someone who was obviously impaired but not over the legal BAC limit. In the District of Columbia, for example, drivers can be charged with DWI, DUI, and OWI. The DWI charge is for cases where the driver was tested and had a BAC of 0.08 or higher. The police do not have to prove the driver was impaired. Impaired, but Not Legally Drunk A DUI charged in Washington, D.C. usually means there is no proof that the driver had a BAC over the legal limitâ€"perhaps the driver refused a breath testâ€"but other evidence proved that he was impairedâ€"such as field sobriety tests or observations by the arresting officer. A charge of OWI in the District means that the prosecution can prove the driver was driving under the influence of any amount of alcohol but does not have to prove the driver was impaired or legally intoxicated. In D.C., this charge carries the lowest penalties. Intoxication Affects More Than Driving Also, in some jurisdictions, OWI is used in cases in which driving was not involved, but the operator was intoxicated while operating a boat, heavy equipment or carrying out some other function. As lawmakers across the United States begin to deal with the growing problem of drugged drivingâ€"driving under the influence of a drug, illegal or prescriptionâ€"they are rewriting their laws to meet the new challenges. Laws Are Changing Across the U.S. Consequently, some states may come up with a batch of new acronyms to refer to various charges of operating while intoxicated, or they may move toward using more generalized terms to refer to driving while impairedâ€"meaning under the influence of alcohol or drugs. More states may join the majority by using DUIâ€"driving under the influenceâ€"because it could refer to the influence of either alcohol or drugs. It Is a Serious Offense No matter what they call it where you are arrested for impaired driving, it is a serious offense carrying penalties that are increasing in severity across the country, as states continue to try to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on the highways. Whether its called a DUI, DWI or OWI, a conviction for drunken driving will cost you a staggering amount of money, immediately and in the long term. It can also cost you indirectly because it might restrict the jobs you are able to get with a DUI conviction on your record. Do You Know What Drunk Driving Laws Your State Has?