DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired. It applies to operation of motor vehicles, and violation of driving laws. Though different states in the United States have

varying DWI laws, all the states prohibit drivers from operating motor vehicles under the influence of alcoholic beverages.

This offense applies when a certain driver is stopped by law or traffic enforcers, and is found to have their blood alcohol level at or above the legal limit. Drivers operating motor vehicles are only allowed a 0.08% BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) or 8 grams of alohol for every 100 delicilters of blood. The blood alcohol content is the unit of measure that indicates how much alcohol is in the blood. Refusal to go under the test for potential DWI offense is equal to admission of guilt.

Different field sobriety tests are administered to drivers who are stopped for a possible or suspected DWI violation. These aren’t tests, per se, but more like physical agility exercises that test one’s “divided attention,” which is a critical skill in maneuvering a vehicle. There are five different kinds of field sobriety tests: Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, Standing in One Leg, Finger to Nose, and The Rhomberg Balance Test. If the driver fails any of these tests, he is then asked to breathe into a preliminary screening device, called breathalyer, which determines the BAC level of the driver.