OVI is the abbreviation for "Operating a Vehicle Impaired". Ohio’s
General Assembly amended the drunk driving / DUI
statute to broaden the offense from driving under the influence, to Operating a Vehicle Impaired. The big difference is that operation does not require that the vehicle actually be moving!!! Hell, the vehicle doesn’t even have to be running so long as you are in the driver’s seat and the keys are within reach.
To make it worse, even if the police officer can’t prove that you actually drove the vehicle while impaired, you can still be charged with an OVI, as long as it can be reasonably inferred that
you drove while impaired. Like he finds you in the car along side the road passed out, out in the middle of no where -- no way could you get there without driving while you were drunk. You get an OVI.
First
Drinker: Where's Carl at tonight?
Second Drinker: The cops found him sleeping his
buzz off in his
trucktel. He had his keys in his jacket so they busted him with an OVI.
First Drinker: That sucks! It's not like he was drinking and driving!
