What is the difference between a drug DUI and an alcohol DUI?

In North Carolina, a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) can be classified as either a drug DUI or an alcohol DUI. The main difference between the two is the type of substance that a person has consumed prior to getting behind the wheel. An alcohol DUI is defined as having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, which is the legal limit in North Carolina. To determine a person’s BAC, a Breathalyzer test is used. The Breathalyzer test measures the amount of alcohol found in a driver’s system. A drug DUI, on the other hand, is defined as driving under the influence of an illegal substance, such as marijuana or cocaine. Under North Carolina law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with any amount of an illegal controlled substance in the bloodstream. A drug DUI is determined by a blood test, during which law enforcement will test the driver’s blood for drugs or metabolites of drugs. In North Carolina, a person can be charged with both an alcohol DUI and a drug DUI at the same time. Both types of DUIs carry serious legal and financial consequences, including jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension. A person can also face an increase in auto insurance rates, which can significantly raise the cost of driving.

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What is the difference between a drug DUI and an alcohol DUI?

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