Consequences of Drunk Driving
What’s the Real Danger?

It seems that the consequences of drunk driving do not scare drivers hard enough; the rate of drunk driving accidents all over the world still grow at an alarming rate.

It is also the top reason for accidents involving several teenage celebrities, which helped propel the problem of drunk driving to the foreground. Thus, drunk driving is now considered a societal problem, and a very common and dangerous one that simply, frighteningly so, kills.

How Common Is It?

So how common is drunk driving exactly? The problem of drunk driving has been around ever since automobiles first came out. It was, however, during the 1980s that it became increasingly common. Due to this, since that time, all the states have considered drunk driving as illegal. This, unfortunately, has done practically nothing to control the growth of drunk driving accidents.

The year 2000 saw 16,653 deaths due to drunk driving, and the injuries recorded even reached a million. What’s most alarming is that a large percentage of these deaths involved people under 21 years of age. Due to the consistent involvement of young drivers in such accidents, the organization “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” were eventually formed.

Unfortunately, despite efforts to combat this dangerous phenomenon, drunk driving accidents still occur every 32 minutes these days. So it is not an exaggeration to say that drunk driving kills.

When Is It Considered Drunk Driving?

Every time you drink, alcohol enters your bloodstream. This is how traffic enforcers can determine whether you are under the influence of alcohol when you are caught in an accident. Traffic enforcers use various methods in determining the alcohol concentration found in your bloodstream.

The allowed rate of alcohol content in the driver’s bloodstream is also a controversial topic. In the 1990s, the legal limit is .10 percent, but in more recent years, the legal limit was lowered in an attempt to discourage people more strongly from driving under the influence. Now, several states consider the limit to be .08 percent, which means that if the alcohol content in your bloodstream exceeds .08 percent, you are considered not fit to be driving. If you are caught driving, a case is automatically built and the consequences of drunk driving should be faced.

The Dangers of Drunk Driving

The dangers of drunk driving go down many paths. First, the driver himself is in trouble of hurting himself. However, since most drunk drivers have very little control over their vehicles, they also affect other motorists. Aside from that, innocent pedestrians also find themselves in undeserved danger.

To help prevent drunk driving, there are now several consequences of drunk driving that attempt to discourage people from driving while under the influence.

The DUI Case: What You Will Face

Each drunk driving case is heavily dealt with. Here’s how the consequences of drunk driving go. First, the traffic enforcer will check your blood alcohol concentration. The legal limit, though set at 0.08, may still vary depending on the weight of the person involved. For example, a woman of low weight can reach 0.08 after two glasses, while a man of heavier weight takes around four or more before 0.08 is reached.

The legal limit continues to stir controversy since studies show that 0.02 and 0.05 BAC levels are enough to cause impairment in judgment and in one’s ability to track moving objects. Visual functions are also easily affected. The 0.05 level also reduces a person’s overall coordination and may already be enough to cause accidents. However, the legal limit is still set at .08 in most states.

In most states, the consequences of drunk driving include mandatory jail time, and the penalties are greater for those who repeat the deed. In fact, some states charge repeat offenders with up to three DUI cases with felony penalties, which strip them of their civil rights such as the right to vote or to own a weapon. This may even be enough to suspend a driver’s license for a long period that spans years or even permanently. Drunk drivers will also be fined, and the fine increases the more you drink and drive. Another common consequence is the suspension of license, though these laws differ from one state to another.

Suspended licenses are also sometimes accompanied by a DUI school which the offender has to attend in order to claim his license again. This is very common in most states nowadays. In the past, DUI classes were simpler. Now, however, DUI offenders are asked to undergo an assessment interview which will determine the full extent of his case and what needs to be done before he can claim his driver’s license again.

This will be conducted by a private counselor. The interview will mostly focus on evaluating the offender’s overall drinking problem. If found that the drinking is an abusive problem, then the offender has to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Repeat offenders, however, face larger consequences since they often have to spend 28 to 90 days in a detoxification and alcohol abuse treatment facility.

Mainly all consequences of drunk driving take a lot of time and money, which is why it is best to steer clear of this danger completely.

Do’s: Be a responsible driver; plan ahead.
Don’ts: Don’t drink and drive.

The Verdict

Despite the consequences of drunk driving, it is still one of the top causes of car accidents. Protecting yourself from the dangers of driving under the influence also means protecting other people from accidents that can result from DUI. If you plan on getting drunk, make the necessary transportation arrangements so you wouldn’t have to drive under the influence.

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