Auto Drivers in the News

Celebrity DUIs are the latest trend in Hollywood

Like getting pregnant, sex tapes and rehab, DUIs and driving violations are becoming the hottest fad among America's sweethearts. Lindsay Lohan is the latest celebrity it-girl to be charged with a driving offence. Police arrested the actress - who had a blood alcohol level between 0.12 and 0.13 percent, well above California's legal limit - in Santa Monica at 1:30 a.m. on July 24. She had allegedly been seen chasing a black Cadillac Escalade on the streets of Santa Monica and was found by police arguing in a parking lot with a woman who is reported to be the mother of her personal assistant. Just five days earlier, Lohan surrendered to Beverly Hills police in connection to another DUI charge resulting from a minor traffic accident in May. A court date for that incident has been scheduled for August 24.

Socialite celebrity Paris Hilton has been in the news lately for serving a much publicized prison term, also resulting from a DUI charge. In September 2006, Hilton was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent, which is the minimum illegal level in California. Her license was suspended in November of 2006 and she was placed on 36 months' probation. Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail after she was caught driving with a suspended license. After credit for good behaviour, she served 22 days in an all-female jail and was released on June 26.

Celebrity and Hilton crony Nicole Richie has also recently pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. She was arrested on December 11, 2006 after several witnesses reported seeing her black 2005 Mercedes-Benz SUV going the wrong way on a Burbank freeway. She admitted to being under the influence of marijuana and prescription painkillers. If convicted, it would be her second DUI conviction within 10 years, which could mean a sentence between 90 days and one year. Her court date is scheduled for sometime in August.

These celebrities seem to be unable to recognize the consequences of their actions. Perhaps it's because they are surrounded by people who work to make them happy at all costs that these young ladies hop, intoxicated, into their expensive vehicles without a thought for the safety of others. With increased awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, instances of impaired driving are actually on the decline, but with role models like these, what can we expect from the next generation of drivers?

It used to be we could depend on the reputation and reliability of North American cars to meet our standards - but could it be the times are changing? Here in the U.S., overseas models are continuing to rise in popularity. Find out why!

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