Driving Under the Influence: Personal and Societal Costs

Before getting behind the wheel after drinking, consider the devastating and far-reaching consequences. A single DUI decision could:

• Tragically end your life or the life of an innocent person.
• Incur significant personal financial losses, potentially reaching $10,000 or more for even a first-time offense. This includes expenses like:
  • Towing fees
  • Lawyer fees
  • Fines
  • DUI school
  • Increased insurance premiums
  • Lost wages
  • Court costs
  • Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
  • License reinstatement fees
  • Cost recovery fees

The impact goes beyond the individual:

Beyond personal costs, DUI has a significant societal impact:

• Loss of life potential: Every life lost in a DUI crash represents the potential and contributions that person could have made to society.
• Economic burden: Society bears the cost of:
• Rehabilitation for injured victims, either directly through public assistance or indirectly through increased insurance and healthcare costs.
• Supporting permanently disabled individuals.
• Legal processes, including defending those convicted and responding to crash scenes.
• Emotional impact: DUI crashes cause immense emotional suffering for families and loved ones who lose someone dear.

 Remember, choosing to drive under the influence is never worth the risk. Always prioritize a safe and responsible approach by finding alternative means of transportation after consuming alcohol.