Alcohol is widely known as the most addictive substance in the world. Besides increasing the risk of conditions such as liver disease, large amounts of alcohol in the system can impair an individual’s ability to think and act rationally. Despite knowing this, many people continue to get behind the wheel while drunk every year, resulting in drunk driving accidents. Many families have lost loved ones due to the carelessness of drunk drivers, and the offenders face serious consequences besides a lifetime of guilt. In this article, we share with you some drunk driving facts to keep in mind.
Drunk Driving Comes with Harsh Penalties
There’s no question about it: drunk driving is illegal in all fifty states. While the severity of the penalties you face will depend on several factors, a DUI charge will stay on your record and affect your future prospects in employment. The severity of the penalties faced by an offender will depend on:
- Whether someone was injured or killed
- Whether it’s a first or repeat offense
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Whether you have caused damage to property, such as someone else’s car
The type of penalties you can expect to face include:
- Fines and/or jailtime
- Probation and license suspension
- Mandatory DUI education classes
- Social and emotional distress that can potentially result in PTSD
It is important to note that not all consequences of a DUI charge are legal. Offenders can suffer from poor mental health that comes from the strains that get placed on their personal relationships, feelings of guilt, the way they are treated in the workplace after a DUI charge and more.
Drunk Driving Causes Many Deaths Annually
Many people die from drunk driving accidents annually. Grieving families will never get their loved ones back, and it’s likely that the offender will suffer from feelings of guilt that will last a lifetime. This is never fun for either side, and nothing good ever comes out of drunk driving. If you know you are prone to drunk driving, always get a backup plan such as booking a hotel for the night instead of attempting to drive home drunk.
Drunk Driving Can Be the Result of Substance Abuse
Unfortunately, the majority of DUI offenders have a long and complicated history with alcohol. It’s only in a small minority of cases where their excessive drinking is a one-off event. However, the good news is that you can get help.
Attend DUI Education Classes
At Jackson-Bibby Awareness Group, we are committed to helping DUI offenders complete their education programs and start on the path to recovery and license reinstatement. For social distancing purposes, we are currently offering individual and group counselling sessions via Zoom, which you are expected to attend and participate in actively. Telehealth sessions are expected to go on for a limited time only and DUI education classes will be resumed in person as soon as it’s possible to. If there is anything you are unsure of, please feel free to take a look through our FAQs.
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