The Average Illinois DUI Offender

 Posted on July 09, 2015 in DUI

Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs is extremely dangerous. There is little question regarding that fact. Impaired drivers present serious hazards not only to themselves and the occupants of their vehicles, but to anyone else currently on or near the road, including pedestrians and bicycle riders. Anyone, certainly, is capable of drinking too much and getting behind the wheel, but, over time, certain trends have emerged regarding DUI arrests. Combining all available DUI arrest information, the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State has created a compilation of the average person arrested for DUI.

Keep in mind that, as an average, this composite is for illustrative purposes only. Based on the DUI records in recent years, the average DUI offender in Illinois is:

• Male: ­More than three quarters of those arrested for driving under the influence are men;
• 34 years old: 58 percent of DUI offenders are under the age of 35. The average age for all DUI offenses is 34, but as a ratio of arrests per licensed drivers, those between 21 and 24 are arrested the most of frequently of any age group;
• Driving with BAC of .16: In Illinois, the standard for DUI is a blood alcohol content, or BAC, .08 or higher. DUI becomes possible at a BAC of .05 if other signs of impairment are present. The average offender is arrested with twice the legal limit of alcohol present in his or her system; and
• Caught on a weekend night: A DUI arrest is most likely to occur on a Friday, Saturday, or very early Sunday morning, between the hours of 11pm and 4am. Considering that most excessive drinking occurs at these times, this is rather unsurprising, but true nonetheless.

It is important to remember that, despite the numbers, anyone who drives drunk can be arrested and prosecuted for DUI. Man or woman, old or young, slightly buzzed or completely intoxicated, day or night—the risks are not worth it. Designate a driver, call a cab, use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, or stay where you until you are sober. Your future may depend on it.

If you or a family member has been arrested for DUI, there may be options available to help mitigate the impact of the offense. Contact an experienced Rolling Meadows DUI defense attorney today to find out more. We offer a free initial consultation so you can meet with a skilled defense lawyer who will evaluate your case and help you decide how to proceed. Call 847-253-3100 to schedule an appointment.