The driving laws in each state clearly prohibit drinking and driving, but that doesn't stop thousands of drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel of a car each year. In turn, millions more lives have been impacted and forever changed over the years due to the devastating consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. There's no doubting that alcohol can cause a significant impairment of judgement, but that single-moment decision to jump behind the wheel can have lifelong consequences.
Legal and Financial Woes Attributed to Having a DUI on Your Record
Presuming the driver is "lucky" enough not to cause any accidents or fatalities while driving under the influence of alcohol, there are still significant to face with the justice system. Though the penalty for a DUI may vary slightly from state to state, spending a few hours behind bars is just the beginning of the legal troubles. In some states, even first time offenders can lose their driving privileges for up to one year - leaving plenty of time to attend substance abuse assessment classes, perform community service and pay the fines for driving drunk.
DUI and substance abuse classes are often a court-mandated penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol. Though the length of time and number of classes required will vary from state to state dependent upon the number of prior DUI convictions, these classes are both required and costly to attend, generally averaging around $650. Drivers who have been convicted will have to complete one or both programs before being allowed to get his or her driving privileges reinstated.
Once the appropriate time has passed and drivers are able to renew their license, chances are high that he or she will be required to install an ignition interlock in the vehicle. The ignition interlock is installed into the vehicle and acts as a breathalyzer test that the driver must pass before the car can be started. Afterward, the interlock may require a periodic test to ensure that the driver is obeying laws and not driving while intoxicated.
In addition to legal fees and a loss of license, a DUI conviction can make it difficult to obtain a job or even pass a routine background check. Even a single DUI offense can leave employers and landlords in doubt regarding a driver's ability to make smart decisions. In the end, even a single DUI conviction can result in many thousands of dollars lost due to poor decision-making.
Emotional and Mental Consequences of Driving While Intoxicated
Believe it or not, jail time and penalty fees are on the lucky side of the spectrum when it comes to being convicted for driving under the influence. The guilt and remorse that accompanies a drunk driver can last an entire lifetime. It has been proven time and again that drinking alcohol can delay reactions and impair judgement. Alcohol has a way of making people feel invincible, but it is important to remember that a single moment could change or take away a life forever; those odds are significantly heightened with a decision to drink and drive.
Where there is guilt there are bound to be blues, and depression is guilt's best friend. Having a DUI on your record can also mean shattering the trust that your loved ones have in your ability to make smart decisions. When accompanied by complications in finding a job or even a home to rent, the chances of becoming depressed can be high. In any case, the best way to avoid any of these complications is to stray from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.or you can use a brathalyzer (http://thebreathalyzerstore.com) test in order to prevent some negative circumstances.
William S., 2011