Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Despite that fact, people choose to do it every day—increasing drunk driving-related accidents. In addition to the drunk driver, passengers, other motorists and their passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians all suffer the consequences when somebody decides to drive under the influence.
Know the Risks
Alcohol begins to impair your cognition and coordination, both vital to operating a motor vehicle, at a Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of less than 0.08—lower than the legal driving limit.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one person was killed in a drunk driving accident every 52 minutes in 2019. That adds up to 10,142 people who died because of someone driving under the influence.
DUI’s take a financial toll as well. In fact, the average cost of a DUI is as much as $10,000. Fines, court and attorney fees, and vehicle towing are challenging enough, but the consequences don’t stop there. A DUI charge can result in higher insurance rates, and you may lose your driver’s license (incurring even more transportation costs).
If a clean driving record is required by your employer, you could be fired from your job. In addition to immediate lost wages, it may be harder for you to find work considering that employers aren’t keen to hire applicants with a recent DUI.
Keys to Keep You Safe
Have a plan to get home safely before you start drinking. If you’re hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic beverages too and ensure your guests don’t leave without a sober driver.
Designate a driver or schedule a car service such as Uber or Lyft to take you to and from your destination, and always wear your seat belt—the best protection if your vehicle is struck by a drunk driver.