Have you ever considered getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking alcohol? If so, we urge you to read further. The consequences for drinking and driving can be quite severe and the practice is incredibly dangerous – to you as well as other motorists and pedestrians. Though illegal, many still choose to operate a vehicle under the influence. Sadly, such preventable and reckless actions can ultimately lead to a wide range of catastrophic results, including severe injury or death.
DUI Penalties
If you get caught drinking while driving, the chances are good that you'll be cited for a DUI, or a Driving under the Influence charge. A number of penalties can be issued for driving under the influence of alcohol, including:
- Fines
- Court Costs
- Enrollment in an Alcohol Education Class
- Increased Vehicle Insurance
- Suspension or Loss of Employment
- License Suspension
- Jail Time
DUI Consequences
When you drink and drive, not only are you potentially hurting yourself, you are also putting other drivers and pedestrians in danger. For instance, you could:
- Cause a Single Car Accident
- Create a Collision with One or More Vehicles
- Hit a Walker, Runner, Bicyclist, etc.
- INJURE or KILL another individual
- INJURE or KILL yourself
DUI Facts
The following is a list of facts regarding DUI laws, charges, and statistics:
- If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher and you're operating a vehicle within the United States, then you can be arrested
- If you are under the age of 21, then it's illegal for you to operate a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in your system
- Over one million drivers are arrested each year for drunk driving
- Alcohol is involved in over 40 percent of all fatal vehicular accidents
- In the United States, someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes
Important Note: If you're going to consume alcohol, then it's only smart and safe to call a cab or to have a designated driver.
