Second DUI Arrest Brings More Legal Trouble for Amanda Bynes
Watching anyone’s life—whether a loved one, a friend, or a celebrity—spiral out of control can be heart wrenching. When drug addiction or mental illness is involved, the outcome can be tragic (and couldn’t be saved by the team of basic life support), as was the case for beloved singers Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. For a while, Amanda Bynes, the doe-eyed actress once known for her youthful, lighthearted roles, had us worried she was heading in the same direction. Within the span of a few years she was arrested numerous times for driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, throwing a bong from a window, and lighting her dog on fire. We were all understandably relieved when she was placed under her parents’ conservatorship and started receiving treatment for schizophrenia—but not for long. Unfortunately, in the same month that conservatorship ended, the young starlet is in legal trouble again after being arrested for driving under the influence.
In the early morning hours of last Sunday, according to their explanation, a California Highway Patrol officer observed Amanda Bynes “stop her Mercedes GL 450 on Riverside Drive at a red light past the limit line and into the intersection with Van Nuys Boulevard,” reported the Los Angeles Times. Appearing under the influence, Bynes was given a sobriety field test, which she failed. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, at least one of which was a prescribed medication, according to a source close to the investigation. Even if that is the case, if she consumed the medication to the point of impairment while driving, then she was still violating the law.
If you fear you will exceed the legal limit, it may be advantageous to decline a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) test. A refusal to take a BAC test, like a refusal to undertake Field Sobriety Tests, prevents the prosecutor from bringing proof of your level of intoxication in court. However, keep in mind that your refusal might still be used against you. Your licence will be suspended automatically, although there are options to contest this.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs—How Big Is the Problem
In the United States, drugged driving is not as prevalent as drunk driving, with an estimated 10.3 million adolescents and adults reporting driving under the influence of illicit drugs in 2012 compared to an estimated 29.1 million who reported driving after consuming alcohol the same year, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Fortunately, there are resources available to help those who are struggling, visit here learn more about Moving Mountains Recovery for help with alcohol and drug addiction. Furthermore, a helpful site like addictiontreatmentrehab.co.uk will help you gain more knowledge when it comes to addiction.
In a 2007 National Roadside Survey, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than 16 percent of weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs. A 2009 NHTSA study indicates that 18 percent of fatally injured drivers tested positive for at least one illicit, prescription, or over-the-counter drug, up 13 percent from 2005.
Is Help on the Way for Amanda Bynes?
Fortunately, no one was hurt in this incident, and hopefully it will force Bynes to continue seeking help for her mental health and substance abuse issues. Celebrity news website TMZ reports that sources have revealed that Bynes is smoking marijuana and has stopped taking her anti-psychotic meds for Schizophrenia and bipolarity. Whether or not this is true, her recent arrest and new legal trouble is a clear indication that she needs help.
