People of all demographics continue to push their luck with drinking and driving. Why do so many people continue to drink and drive despite the consequences? Most experts seem to believe that it’s because they don’t know the repercussions. People who remain in the dark may find themselves in jail—or even dead.
Legal Consequences of Drinking and Driving
While it’s never safe to operate a vehicle after consuming any alcohol, the legal blood alcohol concentration limit is .08 percent. Anything on or above that limit will result in legal consequences if you’re pulled over.
Not only is drinking and driving unsafe, but it also has a number of legal repercussions. Driving after drinking may result in a charge for driving under the influence (DUI). Even on the first offense, people can lose their licenses for a year. The court can also order them to attend outpatient alcohol abuse programs.
Because of the seriousness of a DUI, states prosecute to the full extent of the law. It doesn’t matter if it’s a first or second offense. When drivers kill others because of drunk driving, authorities can charge them with vehicular manslaughter.
People can also receive a charge for driving while intoxicated (DWI). A DWI is also the act of operating a car with an above-legal alcohol level. However, it also encompasses driving after taking illegal or prescription drugs, which makes the repercussions more severe. In many cases, people lose their driver’s licenses and have to serve jail time for DWI.
Bodily Harm and Death
In some cases, the legal consequences of drinking and driving are of the least concern. Drunk driving often ends with people getting hurt. Studies show that the majority of car crashes are the result of people driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Drunk driving risks not only the life of the driver, but also the lives of other people on the road. Other road users or those walking on sidewalks are at risk when people drink and drive. Living with the guilt of killing someone while drunk driving can cause a lot of psychological trauma as well.
Get Help for Your Alcohol Addiction to Avoid These Consequences
The best way to avoid drunk driving consequences is to never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. However, people who have alcohol addiction often take the risk. At Ashley Addiction Treatment, we provide help for people who suffer from alcoholism. We offer:
Don’t live with alcohol addiction any longer. Give our substance abuse programs a chance before it’s too late. Call Ashley Addiction Treatment today at 866-313-6307.