Bucks County DUI Law Blog

Today, more and more people are getting physically fit by riding their bicycles, but Pennsylvania drivers could soon find themselves getting a traffic violation for passing too close to a cyclist.

This proposed legislation would make it illegal to pass a cyclist unless there is at least four feet of space between the vehicle and the cyclist. Pennsylvania is joining 19 other states in proposing a safe passing standard.

In November, we posted about the dismissal of DUI charges that were originally brought against a Pennsylvania state representative. A judge decided to dismiss the DUI charges after taking issue with inconsistencies in the testimonies of the two arresting officers.

While this was a victory for the defendant, her celebration was short-lived. Later that month, the prosecution appealed the ruling and wanted the judge to recuse himself from the case. They cited concerns that the judge and defendant were Facebook friends.

Earlier this week, we began a discussion about the potential consequences of refusing to submit to a blood-alcohol test. Under Pennsylvania's implied consent law, drivers who refuse a law enforcement officer's request for a blood-alcohol test can face a one-year license suspension.

In 2009, one Philadelphia man learned that this law is sometimes too rigidly enforced. He and his girlfriend got into a car accident while driving home from a party. She was the designated driver, but a state trooper became convinced that he had been driving at the time of the accident. He refused to take a blood-alcohol test, and although the DUI charge was later dropped, the test refusal charge was not.

Here in Pennsylvania, drivers can face serious consequences for refusing to take a blood-alcohol-concentration (BAC) test if they have been pulled over and a police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that they have been drinking or are otherwise under the influence.

The state's implied consent provision means that all drivers consent to BAC tests at the time that they sign their driver's license. Drivers who refuse to take a test may be penalized with a one-year license suspension.

In Pennsylvania, those convicted of repeat DUI offenses are required to install ignition interlock systems on their vehicles for a certain period of time. However, the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is currently advocating that states should require that these devices be installed in the vehicles of all convicted DUI offenders, even those with a single charge on their records.

Roughly half of states require ignition interlock installation for repeat offenders. Connecticut however, recently joined a minority of states which mandate installation for every DUI offender. Similar legislation is being considered in Pennsylvania.

Last week we wrote that Pennsylvania drivers needed to be especially careful over the New Year's holiday weekend. Law enforcement agencies were out in full force and ready to make DUI arrests and issue citations for any number of other traffic violations.

Now that the increased enforcement period is over, law enforcement statistics are starting to come in. How did drivers fare this year? Not very well, it would seem. According to a press release from the Pennsylvania State Police Department, state troopers made 285 DUI arrests during a four-day period running from Dec. 30 through Jan. 2.

Now that New Year's Eve is here, Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies will be employing several strategies to catch drunk drivers. Police in Bucks County may even be setting up some DUI checkpoints.

But are checkpoints the best way to catch dangerously drunk drivers and deter drunk driving? According to a recent article written by the managing director of the American Beverage Institute (ABI), the answer is no.

Last week, we wrote that Pennsylvania police are increasing DUI enforcement around the holidays. This is especially true this weekend as we all prepare to celebrate New Year's Eve.

When the New Year starts and holiday DUI arrests for Bucks County have been tallied and reported, some teen drivers may find themselves among those facing charges. According to the results of a national survey, New Year's Eve is the most likely day of the year for teenagers to drive under the influence.