DUI and Drunk Driving Arrests in Indianapolis – A Growing Concern

Driving under the influence (DUI) and drunk driving is a major problem in Indianapolis and across Indiana. According to statistics from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), in 2017 there were 220 fatal car accidents in the state where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above – the legal limit for a DUI charge[3].

DUI Laws and Penalties in Indiana

Indiana DUI laws establish the legal BAC limit for drivers at .08. If a driver is caught over this limit, they can be charged with a DUI. The penalties for a first-time DUI depend on the driver’s BAC[3]:

• BAC between .08 and .14 – Class C misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail and $500 fine
• BAC .15 or above – Up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 fine

In both cases, the driver’s license will also be suspended for up to 2 years and they must pay court fees of at least $300[3]. A second DUI offense within 5 years becomes a class D felony with a mandatory minimum 5 days in jail and 180 hours community service. Fines can reach $10,000[3]. Harsher penalties exist for DUIs with passengers under 18. This becomes a class D felony with 6 months to 3 years in jail and fines up to $10,000[3].

DUI and Drunk Driving Statistics for Indianapolis

Some key statistics on drunk driving in Indianapolis and Indiana:

• In 2017, 20 of the 220 drunk driving fatalities involved drivers under 21[3]
• In 2018, 28 fatalities involved drivers under 21[3]
• Arrest data shows over 11,000 OWI citations issued in 2018 across Indiana[4]
• Over 13,000 OWI license suspensions in 2017[4]
• Toxicology data shows increasing positive tests for alcohol and drugs in drivers[4]

High Profile DUI and Drunk Driving Cases

There have been several high profile DUI cases in Indianapolis that drew significant media attention:

• September 2022 – A driver was arrested for DUI after a deadly pedestrian crash on the northwest side of Indianapolis[1].
• September 2022 – A Montgomery man was arrested for a fatal DUI crash while out on bond for a previous DUI offense[2].
• May 2022 – Indiana State Representative Jim Lucas was arrested for DUI after crashing his vehicle and leaving the scene[5].

Preventing Drunk Driving in Indianapolis

More needs to be done to curb drunk driving in Indianapolis. Here are some ways citizens can help:

• Don’t drink and drive! Arrange a designated driver, taxi, or rideshare.
• Support campaigns against drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has an active Indianapolis chapter.
• Report suspected drunk drivers by calling 911.
• Educate family and friends on the dangers of drunk driving.
• Advocate for more stringent DUI laws and penalties from legislators.

DUI Defenses in Court

Those charged with a DUI in Indianapolis do have legal defense options. Common defenses include[6]:

• Challenging the validity of the traffic stop
• Questioning the accuracy of the breathalyzer or blood test
• Arguing the driver was not actually impaired despite BAC level
• Claiming the driver drank alcohol just before driving but was not impaired while driving

An experienced DUI defense lawyer can evaluate the evidence and determine the best defense strategy on a case-by-case basis. Many cases come down to the ability to effectively challenge the prosecution’s evidence.

Conclusion

DUI and drunk driving remains a serious issue affecting the safety of Indianapolis residents. This article has provided an overview of state DUI laws, local statistics, high profile cases, and ways citizens can help prevent drunk driving. But more work remains to be done through education, advocacy, and enforcement. With a combined effort, Indianapolis can continue to make progress reducing DUI offenses and promoting public safety on our streets.