DUI and OWI are two acronyms that people dread when sitting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs. Both terms describe criminal behavior involving driving under the influence of these substances, and both can lead to severe penalties for those charged with these offenses. Unsafe driving has serious consequences, with thousands of innocent people losing their lives or suffering injuries due to others’ reckless behavior. This article aims to identify any differences between DUI and OWI.
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence, which applies to a person driving a car while under the influence of alcohol with Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels exceeding the legal limit. DUI is an offense with severe penalties under different states’ laws in the country. Authorities use a handheld breath analyzer machine to check a driver’s BAC levels if they suspect them of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. If the BAC is found to be higher than the state’s permissible limit, the person is liable to be charged under the law and later produced before a jury for sentencing.
While DUI is the generic term for drunk driving, many states use the term OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) to address offenders of safe driving rules. OWI refers to a person driving a vehicle while still under the influence of alcohol or any other drug. To be charged under this law, you must have control of the vehicle, and merely sitting behind the wheel with BAC levels higher than the legal limit is enough to be charged with OWI. Alcohol, narcotics, or a combination of drugs and alcohol can all cause unsafe driving and make a person eligible for an OWI charge.
Key Takeaways
- DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence, whereas OWI stands for Operating While Intoxicated.
- DUI is the generic term for driving after drinking alcohol in most states, while some states, like Iowa, prefer to use the term OWI.
- OWI has a broader connotation than DUI, as you can be charged with OWI even if you are not driving and just sitting behind the wheel with BAC levels higher than the legal limit.
 and OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) primarily lies in the terminology used by different states in the United States to refer to the criminal offense of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances. Learn the difference here.){kind=link}