Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What is the difference between "operating under the influence" and "operating while intoxicated"?

Sam e-mails: "What is the difference between "operating under theinfluence" and "operating while intoxicated"?

Mr. Answer Person says: "The terms are interchangeable.  Iowa State Code  321J.2--titled "Operating while under the Influence of Alcohol or a Drug," begins by stating, "A person commits the offense of operating while intoxicated if the person operates a motor vehicle..."  That shows the State of Iowa considers the two terms equal.