Drinking and driving is dangerous for everyone on the road. It doesn’t matter if you are the one drinking or not, because when someone gets behind the wheel drunk, they are a danger to everyone around them. In this article, we will be discussing six important reasons why everyone should avoid drinking and driving at all costs.
1) Drinking and driving is illegal.
This is probably the most obvious reason why you should avoid drinking and driving. It is against the law in almost every country and if you are caught, you will face some pretty severe penalties. In some countries, you could even go to jail if you are caught drink-driving.
For example, if you were to be caught drunk driving in Illinois, you would automatically lose your driver’s license for a minimum of six months. You would also be fined anywhere from $500 to $5,000 and could potentially face up to one year in jail. In order to have any hope of beating a DUI in Illinois, you would need to hire a DUI attorney. Keep in mind that the penalties for drinking and driving are much harsher in other states and countries.
Additionally, if you are caught drunk driving and cause an accident, you will be held liable for any damage or injuries that occur as a result. This means that you could end up having to pay huge medical bills or even be sued by the people involved in the accident.
2) Drinking and driving is dangerous.
This should be obvious, but it bears repeating. Driving drunk is dangerous not only for the driver but for everyone else on the road. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), drunk drivers are responsible for around 28% of all car accident fatalities in the United States. That’s over 10,000 deaths every year that could have been prevented if the driver had not been drinking.
In addition to the risk of causing an accident, drunk drivers are also more likely to get into accidents because they are impaired. This means that they are less likely to see potential hazards on the road and are more likely to make mistakes while driving.
For example, a drunk driver may not see a stop sign or may misjudge a turn and end up going off the road. Drunk drivers are also more likely to speed and less likely to wear their seatbelts. All of these factors increase the chance of getting into a serious or fatal accident.
3) Drinking and driving is expensive.
If you are caught drinking and driving, you can expect to pay some hefty fines. As we mentioned before, the penalties for drunk driving are different in every state, but they all come with a financial cost. In addition to the fines, you will also have to pay for any damage that you cause while driving drunk. This could include property damage, medical bills, and legal fees. If you are sued, you could end up having to pay even more money.
And let’s not forget about the cost of insurance. If you are caught drinking and driving, your insurance rates will almost certainly go up. In some cases, your insurance company may even drop you entirely. This means that you will have to find new insurance and will likely have to pay much higher rates.
4) Drinking and driving is inconvenient.
Even if you are lucky enough to avoid getting caught or into an accident, drinking and driving is still very inconvenient. If you are drunk, you will have to find someone to drive you home or pay for a taxi. You will also have to deal with the inconvenience of not having a car the next day if you decide to leave it at the bar or party.
And if you do get caught, the inconvenience will be even greater. You will have to go to court, which takes up time and money. You may also have to spend time in jail or attend alcohol education classes. All of this is time that you could be spending doing something else.
5) Drinking and driving can ruin your life.
If you are caught drinking and driving, it can have a major impact on your life. In addition to the fines and penalties that we mentioned before, you will also have a criminal record. This can make it difficult to get a job, rent an apartment, or get insurance. A DUI will stay on your record for at least five years in most states, and up to 10 years in some states.
And if you cause an accident while drinking and driving, the consequences can be even more severe. You could be charged with vehicular homicide or assault, which carry much harsher penalties. You could also end up spending years in prison.
6) Drinking and driving is preventable.
The best way to avoid the risks of drinking and driving is to simply not do it. If you are going to drink, make sure that you have a designated driver or take a taxi. There are also a number of apps, such as Uber and Lyft, that can help you get home safely.
If you are hosting a party, make sure that your guests have a safe way to get home. Offer to call a taxi for them or allow them to spend the night. Plus, don’t forget to have plenty of non-alcoholic options available for your guests. This way, everyone can still have a good time without anyone having to drink and drive.
Making the choice to not drink and drive is one of the easiest and most important decisions that you can make. It could save your life or the life of someone else. So, next time you are tempted to drink and drive, think about these six important reasons why you should avoid it. The bottom line is that it’s simply not worth the risk. Keep in mind that even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time, so it’s always best to play it safe.
