Many law enforcement attempts to stop drunk driving are focused on “deterrence,†or encouraging people not to drive when there is a risk they may be arrested on suspicion of breaking DUI laws. Although NH sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols will arrest people they suspect of breaking New Hampshire DUI laws, they are also intended to deter people from driving in the first place if they’ve had any drinks.
Deterrence is encouraged for several reasons, according to the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). First, police estimate that for every suspected drunk driver they arrest, anywhere from a dozen to a few hundred drivers violating DUI laws are never caught. Since police cannot be everywhere at once, they encourage people not to risk driving if they’ve also been drinking, lowering the number of impaired drivers on the road.
Second, police patrols use deterrence methods because they work. Research from the IIHS indicates that up to 9,000 accidents are prevented each year because of sobriety checkpoint alerts, ignition interlock devices, and media campaigns around holidays and other events that remind drivers to avoid getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking or using drugs.
At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire drunk driving defense lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of those charged with drunk driving and related crimes in New Hampshire. We carefully examine each client’s case to build an aggressive defense that fights for the best possible outcome for each person we represent. If you or someone you care about is facing a New Hampshire drunk driving charge, don’t hesitate to call Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today at (603) 624-3700.
Boaters who are convicted of certain crimes while on their boats could also lose their licenses to drive a motor vehicle in New Hampshire, under a bill passed recently by the New Hampshire Senate.
The bill allows the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles to suspend or revoke the driver’s licenses of boaters who are convicted of operating a boat recklessly or of causing death or injury to another in a boating accident. These convictions cover a wide range of situations in which alcohol or drug use may be suspected.
Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is currently prohibited in New Hampshire, but currently, a conviction on this charge usually results only in suspension or revocation of a boater’s license to drive a boat – not the person’s license to drive a car. If the Senate’s bill becomes law, however, a conviction for boating while impaired or intoxicated may result in the loss of a driver’s license as well as a boater’s license, even if the convicted person has never driven a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI).
If you or someone you love is facing drunk driving charges in New Hampshire, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced New Hampshire DUI defense attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. We understand thoroughly the possible penalties you face, and we have the courtroom experience to fight to protect your legal rights and to seek the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential consultation by telephone, call us at (603) 624-3700 today.
In New Hampshire, drivers who are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) face an automatic license suspension or revocation. Whether the license is suspended or revoked and for how long depends on the drivers’ past history of DUI convictions. A license can be suspended or revoked even if the driver is later found to be completely innocent.
If your license has been suspended or revoked because of a DUI arrest in New Hampshire, you have a right to a hearing before the Department of Motor Vehicles to explain why you should not incur a license suspension or revocation. You are not required to have an attorney at this hearing, but you are allowed to have one represent you, and it’s a very good idea to get an attorney’s help. Experienced New Hampshire DUI defense attorneys frequently represent clients in license revocation or suspension hearings. They understand how these hearings work and can put together the best possible arguments in favor of getting you your license back – just like they do in court when fighting the DUI charge itself.
A drunk driving conviction carries serious penalties. Even an arrest or charge can affect your driving privileges, employment, and more. At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire DUI defense attorneys are dedicated to aggressively defending those charged with a DUI in New Hampshire and protecting his or her rights, while also seeking the best possible outcome in their case. For a free and confidential telephone consultation, call us today at (603) 624-3700, or toll-free at 1(888) 511-1010.
New Hampshire police must get court approval for an NH sobriety checkpoint, but once the checkpoint is in place, they may arrest anyone whom they suspect is breaking a New Hampshire law – not just those they suspect are driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (DUI). However, state representative George Lambert of Litchfield says this power goes too far – and he’s introducing a bill in the state legislature to limit it.
Currently, Rep. Lambert believes the police have too much power to make any kind of arrest at a sobriety checkpoint. Since these checkpoints are approved or denied by courts based on whether they will deal with potential DUI properly, but not other possible crimes, the representative believes that police powers at the checkpoint should also be limited to arresting people on suspicion of DUI – but not suspicion of other possible offenses, such as driving with a suspended license.
Opponents point out that checkpoints have been helpful at deterring several different types of possible offenses, not just DUI, because drivers worry about being arrested and so avoid driving if they suspect they’d be breaking the law by doing so.
At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire drunk driving defense lawyers are dedicated to providing an aggressive defense on behalf of each person we represent. We fight to ensure your legal rights are respected in court, and we also fight for the best possible outcome in each case we handle. If you or someone you love is facing drunk driving charges, call Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today at (603) 624-3700 for a free and confidential telephone consultation.
The Super Bowl is the highlight of the year for football fans, especially when a local team is playing. In 2012, the New England Patriots face off against the New York Giants. With both teams so close to home, New Hampshire Super Bowl parties are likely to be a blast this year. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, the NFL (National Football League) offers several ways you can help yourself and your guests avoid a New Hampshire drunk driving charge.
- Make sure all guests have a sober ride home before they break out the drinks. Designated drivers, taxis, and public transportation are all good options for those who want to enjoy alcohol during the Super Bowl.
- Give designated drivers the star treatment. Keep their non-alcoholic beverage topped off and give them the first shot at the snacks. Have designated drivers park in easy-to-reach spots, so it’s no trouble for them or their passengers to reach the car once it’s time to go home.
- Make sure guests drinking alcohol have snacks as well, which can help prevent them from becoming overwhelmed by intoxication – and missing the best parts of the game.
- Choose a time to stop serving alcohol, like one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter. Start passing around coffee and dessert at this time, and offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks like soda, juices, and water.
A DUI conviction carries serious penalties. If you’re facing a DUI charge or arrest in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire DUI attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. can help you build an aggressive defense that protects your rights and fights for the best possible outcome in your case. Call us today at (603) 624-3700 for a free and confidential telephone consultation.
Laws prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in New Hampshire and other states are based on research indicating that a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle safely decreases as their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases. The “per se†BAC limit in New Hampshire is 0.08 percent, but even if a driver’s BAC is lower than this, he or she may be arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, or when one’s ability is impaired (DWI).
How does driving ability decrease as BAC increases? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers an overview:
- 0.02 percent. Some decrease in ability to track moving objects and to multitask, a key skill when driving.
- 0.05 percent. The ability to coordinate movements, especially in emergency situations that require quick thinking, goes down. Decreased ability to steer a vehicle properly.
- 0.08 percent. Coordination, short-term memory, perception, and ability to process things the driver sees, hears, or feels are all impaired. This is currently the “legal limit†for BAC in all fifty U.S. states.
- 0.10 to 0.15 percent. The ability to keep the car on the road, brake properly in response to traffic signals, turns, or things in the road ahead, and the ability to process information are all significantly impaired.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with drunk driving in New Hampshire, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced NH DUI defense lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. We will build you a strong defense that protects your legal rights and fights for the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential telephone consultation, call us today at (603) 624-3700.
Distracted driving has become a serious issue in the U.S., especially with the rise of cell phones and other electronic devices. The New Hampshire texting ban marks the state joining several others in restricting or banning texting and other types of cell phone use while driving. Additional research on this growing problem of cell phone driving use has further clarified the risks distracted driving poses, according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
The research study cited by GHSA defines a “distraction†as “when a driver voluntarily diverts attention to something not related to driving that uses the driver’s eyes, ears, or hands.†Keeping one’s eyes, ears, hands, and mind on the task of driving is the best way to prevent distracted-driving accidents. The study found that:
- Of 100 drivers observed for a full year, one-fourth to one-half were distracted at any given time.
- Two-thirds of the 100 drivers observed used a cell phone while driving occasionally, and one-third used a cell phone while driving on a regular basis. One-eighth texted while driving.
- Daytime studies that observed passing drivers found that 7 to 10 percent of drivers are using cell phones at any given time. Fewer than 1 percent of drivers were observed to be texting at any given time.
- In 15 to 30 percent of crashes nationwide in 2011, at least one driver was known to be distracted when the crash occurred.
- Cell phone use and texting both increase crash risk. There is no reason to believe that hands-free cell phone use is safer than handheld cell phone use.
Distractions can cause serious accidents, especially when combined with other hazards like winter weather. If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, the experienced New Hampshire distracted driving accident lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. can help. Call us today at (603) 624-3700 for a free telephone consultation, or call our toll-free Injury Helpline at 1(888) 511-1010.
The financial costs of a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in New Hampshire and other states is steep. Fines, restitution, counseling or NH impaired driver intervention fees, license reinstatement fees, impound fees, and fees for having an ignition interlock device installed on a vehicle are all possible costs after a DUI conviction or arrest, and they can add up quickly.
DUI convictions also burden society with monetary costs, especially if a driver is sent to jail or is arrested following an accident. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that a car accident in which at least one person is arrested on suspicion of DUI costs, on average, $49,000. Some of this expense reflects the costs of sending police officers out and of court and administrative actions, but some of it is borne directly by the person who has been charged with or convicted of DUI.
Being charged with or convicted of drunk driving also pushes insurance rates up. The NHTSA estimates that 18 percent of the total amount U.S. drivers pay for car insurance each year, or $234,000,000, is the result of increased insurance rates after a DUI arrest or conviction. New Hampshire drivers convicted of DUI must also obtain an SR-22 certificate of insurance in some situations, adding additional insurance costs.
Being convicted of New Hampshire drunk driving isn’t cheap, either in financial costs or costs to your freedom. At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire drunk driving defense attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of each client we serve, while fighting for the best possible outcome in each case. For a confidential consultation by telephone, call us today at (603) 624-3700.
Let’s face it: nobody wants to be the party-ruining “nag” who reminds everyone not to drive or to accept a ride from anyone who isn’t sober. But when you invite friends, family, and other loved ones over for a party, your actions can mean the difference between one of the people you care about staying safe, or facing charges for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).
If you’re throwing a party, here are just a few of the steps you can take to help your partygoers avoid a drunk driving charge in New Hampshire:
- Don’t let friends drive drunk. If you suspect a visitor cannot safely drive, take his or her keys away. You may want to set up a central “key depository,†such as a bowl by the front door, for everyone to put their car keys in as they arrive. Don’t give the keys back unless you’re convinced the person can safely drive or you know the person is going home with a sober driver.
- Designate drivers beforehand. Remind guests to pick a sober “designated driver†or another way to get home that doesn’t require them to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. Keep the numbers of local cab companies or other transportation handy in case a guest needs a safe ride home.
- Provide non-alcoholic drinks and activities. Throw a party that’s fun to attend whether your guests decide to drink or not. Providing plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, food, and entertainment takes the pressure off to drink – or to drink too much – and allows your guests to have a great time and still make it home sober.
- Provide a place to crash. If you can, give guests who have been drinking the option to spend the night instead of trying to drive.
At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced Manchester drunk driving defense lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of those who are charged with drunk driving in New Hampshire. To learn more about your legal rights and options after a DUI arrest, call us today at (603) 624-3700. The initial telephone consultation is free and completely confidential.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is offering a media kit to help local and state law enforcement offices nationwide publicize increased efforts to identify and arrest possible drunk drivers during the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. Known as the “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk†campaign, the messages encouraging smart driving – and the increased police presence that accompanies them – began January 2, 2012 and will run until February 6, 2012, the day after the Super Bowl.
The purpose of the campaign, according to the NHTSA, is to remind people enjoying the playoffs and the Super Bowl to make smart choices about combining alcohol with their celebrations. It’s fun to have a beer or two while watching the games, but the NHTSA recommends choosing a designated driver before you do – or choosing a way home that doesn’t involve driving, like taking a cab, public transportation, or walking. Alternately, football fans may choose to host a party or two in their homes.
Plans for increased police presences vary by state. In New Hampshire, state and local patrols may include more officers on more shifts, as well as the use of NH sobriety checkpoints. An arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in New Hampshire can have serious consequences, such as a suspended license and other penalties. A conviction carries even stiffer penalties.
If you’re facing drunk driving charges in New Hampshire, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced New Hampshire DUI defense attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. We will examine your case carefully and build an aggressive defense that fights for the best possible outcome on your behalf. For a free and confidential consultation by telephone, call us today at (603) 624-3700.
