4A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OUI
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2006
OUI
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Police investigate the scene of an accident shortly after midnight Friday near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Clinton Parkway. The driver was investigated for drunken driving.
When police showed up, Switzer was too drunk to distinguish his driver's license from other cards, so he handed his entire wallet to the officer.
At left, a crowd waits in the rain Saturday night to get into It's Brothers Bar & Grill, 1105 Massachusetts St. Many KU students spend a big part of the weekend at local bars. Last year 83 KU students got in trouble with the law for drinking and driving. (above photo)Jared Gab/KANSAN (left photo)Anna Faltermier/KANSAN
"I'm never going to drink and drive again." he said about his experience. "I can tell you that because it's just a huge hassle. It changes the way you live."
Switzer, now a senior from Shawnee, was one of 83 KU students busted and punished for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol in Lawrence in 2005. He and the other offenders learned that the costs go far beyond the fines, court costs, attorney fees and lost driving privileges. Those costs can include alcohol evaluations and counseling, drastically higher insurance premiums, and a diminished social life and future job prospects.
The long process
Dana Schongar, who tried to follow another car from a fraternity party to his friend's place at Highpointe Apartments at 6th and Iowa streets, ended up on the opposite side of the road curb asleep at the wheel at 6th and Kasold Drive. He was awakened by a cop tapping on his window.
Schongar, Lenexa senior, had to take a field sobriety test, which he barely remembers other than that he failed it. What usually happens is walking a straight line, standing on one leg, and/or saying the ABC's backwards.
Police are required to have special training to perform a breathalizer, and neither arresting officer did, so Switzer and Schongar had to go to jail to do it. Switzer's car was totaled, but Schongar's was OK. They couldn't leave their cars in the street, so they had to be towed. The Lawrence Police Department has cars towed by Hillcrest Wrecker and Garage Inc. at the owner's expense for a fee of $80.
Both men had to wait 20 minutes before taking the breathalizer. J.C. Gilroy, a former policeman and Lawrence lawyer who specializes in operating under the influence cases, said that during that time the driver can't chew gum, eat or drink to make sure the test results aren't altered.
If an uncertified officer performs the test, the evidence can't be used in court.
before he will get an OUI.
The legal limit for people under age 21 who have been drinking and driving is .02. If the blood alcohol content is between .02 and .08, a driver will get an OUI and lose his license for 30 days. If it's above .08, he will lose his license for one year. For a driver over 21, the blood alcohol content can be up to .08
Switzer was three weeks ahead of his 21st birthday. That means his blood alcohol content had to be less than 0.02 to pass the breathalizer test.
His was. 196. He lost his license for a year.
Driver's licenses are not taken away by the court; the
Driver Control Bureau at the state level handles restricting of licenses.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation Web site, the cost of reinstating a suspended license is $100 for the first offense and goes up for each offense after that.
Schongar escaped without
losing his license only because the officer who performed the breathalizer did not show up for his court date, and his lawyer argued that it couldn't be proven that he was too intoxicated to drive without that officer present.
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CLASS OF 2006 Congratulations!
Congratulations Class of 2006, you've made it! Finally the all-nighters and daily treks up the Hill have paid off. As you prepare for Commencement, use the "Grad Guide" at www.kualumni.org for information about our graduation events, how to stay connected and life after KU.
- Our graduation gift to you, discounted alumni memberships for $25. You'll want to join now to start receiving the Kansas Alumni magazine, discounts, invitations to events and many other great benefits.
- The KU Endowment Association and KU Alumni Association are pairing up to provide grads with a Class of 2006 T-shirt. To receive your tee, donate to the Senior Class Gift, join the KU Alumni Association or do both at Grad Grill, May 10!
- For more details about Commencement, go to www.commencement.ku.edu
All we do, we do for KU. Since 1883, the KU Alumni Association has kept 'Hawks connected to KU!
Don't miss these great graduation events!
Grad Grill
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10
Adams Alumni Center
Join us for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student Alumni
Association. Don't miss out on great door prizes, free food and drinks. (Catered by Hereford House. Vegetarian option available.) This is your chance to pick up information about alumni activities and
services. Campus offices will be on hand to share information about their services to you...a proud KU graduate! Get a free KU gift when you complete an application for the INTRUST Jayhawk bankcard. Please RSVP to saai@ku.edu by May 8.
Commencement Lunch
10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 21
The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before you walk down the Hill, celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for graduates and their guests. The KU Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status, and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner.
To attend, send in your registration card and pick up your tickets on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, May 1 - 17.
Questions? Call the Alumni Association at 864-4760,
e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or visit www.kualumni.org.
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