The Dangers of Drunk Driving

Often called “drunk https://ecosoberhouse.com/ driving” interchangeably, it refers to operating any vehicle (including bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, etc.) while impaired. Drunk drivers who cause accidents may also develop these issues, as well as feelings of profound guilt and shame. Legal fees and fines, property damage, and increased insurance costs are the least devastating of the financial impacts that result from drunk driving.

Dangers & Risks of Drunk Driving

A person may feel happy and relaxed, but they are likely to make poor decisions. There are also mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous that can help those suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and those who have multiple DUIs stay sober. Any license penalties imposed for DUI will be separate from those imposed for refusing a chemical test.

• Repeat offenders who drink and drive are a very real, very deadly problem.
• Many people are surprised to learn a first-time DWI offense can result in fines and legal fees of up to $10,000.

Increased Chances of Having an Accident

Drinking can cause blurred vision and, in some cases, uncontrolled eye movements. Vision impairment affects the ability to judge distances between vehicles on the road. Alcohol abuse can lead to a loss of peripheral vision, which is crucial for safe driving. The greater the alcohol consumption, the more likely it Halfway house is for vision to be impaired.

Decide Against Drunk Driving with These Resources

Because of the number of factors that affect BAC, it is very difficult to assess your own BAC or impairment. Even small amounts of alcohol affect one’s brain and the consequences of driving drunk include: ability to drive. People often think they are “fine” after several drinks – but in fact, the failure to recognize alcohol impairment is often a symptom of impairment. If you would like to find help for your drinking, there are many programs and resources available. Recognize that your drinking is affecting your ability to drive safely, and remember that you’re not alone.

• A drunk driver charge, whether it be a DWI or DUI conviction, simply involves operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
• This means they can’t have any alcohol in their system when driving.
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If convicted, you will likely lose your license for a few months and also have to pay a fine ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. A DUI misdemeanor may mean serving up to a year in jail with multiple years of probation and participating in mandatory community service or driving or substance abuse courses. The court may also order that an ignition interlock device be installed on your vehicle for a period of time. Impairment does not necessarily have to be from ingesting excessive alcohol or an illegal drug. For example, a sleep-deprived driver may exhibit symptoms similar to a drunk driver. What is important is the act of knowingly consuming a substance that would negatively impact your ability to operate a vehicle safely.

Alcohol’s Effects on Your Driving

A person’s alcohol level is measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood. At a BAC of .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, crash risk increases exponentially. Because of this risk, it’s illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05.