Legal News
Reasons Why You Should Not Be Driving Under the Influence
The ‘90s, in particular, were filled with characters who felt it was a rite of passage to drink and drive. It wasn’t just something that happened on the fringes either; it became so commonplace that the general population started to accept it as an unavoidable part of life. Thankfully, society has come a long way since then. Drinking and driving are now widely regarded as being completely unacceptable, and there are laws in place to help ensure that people don’t do it.
You’ll Ruin Your Life and Reputation
If you’re caught driving under the influence, it will follow you for the rest of your life. No one will ever forget that you’ve been convicted of DUI, and some may even be wary of hiring you for a job or renting you a property because of it. It can also affect your ability to travel abroad, as many countries have strict laws against drunk driving that could see you arrested as soon as you land in the country. This can make it virtually impossible to do certain jobs, such as piloting a commercial aircraft or working as a doctor in emergency services. Being convicted of DUI can also make it very difficult to get a visa if you’re not a U.S. citizen. This can have huge consequences for you, your loved ones, and your finances.
Drunk Driving is Extremely Dangerous
Drunk driving can be extremely dangerous for both the driver and people in nearby cars. It only takes one person to make a mistake that could end in tragedy. Sadly, people who drive under the influence are much more likely to make those kinds of mistakes than sober people. Drunk drivers often don’t react quickly enough to avoid other cars, pedestrians, or road hazards like potholes. They might also miss signs warning them of hazards, and they may drive in the wrong lane without realizing it. In the worst cases, they may end up crashing into other cars, pedestrians, or roadside objects. Even if no one is seriously injured, a drunk driver could face a hefty fine, possible jail time, and the need to pay for repairs to other people’s vehicles.
It Will Trigger a Criminal Record
If you’re convicted of driving under the influence, you’ll have a criminal record. This will make it harder for you to get a job, go to school, or get housing. It can also negatively affect your family and friends. To avoid these consequences, you should hire a DUI lawyer as soon as you’re arrested. A lawyer can advise you of your rights during questioning, look for errors in the investigation, and negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charges against you. This will follow you for the rest of your life and make it very difficult to find work in certain industries, such as aviation and law enforcement. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a job that doesn’t require a background check, your criminal record will make it harder for you to get a loan, get promoted, or get your kids into a good school. Having a criminal record also puts you at a higher risk of being caught committing another crime in the future. This is because law enforcement officers are now more likely to stop you and search your vehicle based on your criminal history alone. A DUI conviction is also likely to trigger an immigration search, meaning that non-U.S. citizens will have an even harder time getting a visa.
The Consequences of Being Convicted of DUI
If you’re convicted of driving under the influence, you’ll have to pay a fine and be sentenced to community service. You may also be ordered to attend an alcohol awareness course. If you’re lucky, the judge might decide to give you probation instead of a prison sentence, although this is rare. If you’re found to have caused injury or death to someone, you could be charged with a serious felony and face a long prison sentence. You may also be ordered to pay restitution to anyone who was injured as a result of your DUI, which could include the cost of medical treatment and lost wages. DUI convictions also stay on your record for a long time, often for at least 10 years. This makes it harder for you to find work and get loans, and it will make getting a visa for non-U.S. citizens even more difficult.
It Will Ruin Your Credit Rating
Getting a DUI conviction will almost certainly ruin your credit rating, and this will make it much more difficult for you to get new credit in the future. This can make it more difficult to get a loan to buy a car, a house, or even a new credit card. It can also make it harder to rent a house or apartment, especially if you’re applying to live in a big city. If you ever decide to sell any of these things in the future, a bad credit rating could make the sale much more difficult. DUI convictions are also often reported to credit rating agencies, which can make your credit rating even lower. You might also have to pay higher interest rates on future loans if your credit rating is low.
Your Car Will Suffering Serious Damage
Driving under the influence can cause serious damage to your car. You risk crashing into other vehicles, which can damage your bumper, hood, and windshield. You could also hit a pedestrian, causing damage to your bumper and front end as well as denting your car’s hood. If you’re driving recklessly or if you hit something stationary like a wall or a tree, your car could suffer major damage. This could easily cost you thousands of dollars that you likely don’t have. Your car could also be impounded, which means you’ll have to pay towing and storage fees to get it released. Driving under the influence could also result in serious injury to you, whether it’s another driver crashing into you or you crashing into something and injuring yourself.
Conclusion
Getting behind the wheel while drunk can lead to serious consequences, and you never know when it will happen to you. That’s why it’s important to always have a dash cam in your car, especially if you drive a lot or live in a city. You can’t be sure when something might happen, and a dash cam can be a crucial piece of evidence in the event of an accident. What’s more, if you have a dash cam in your car and you’re the one being videotaped, you’re more likely to make sure you’re driving safely and following the rules of the road. Be responsible, use public transport or call a cab instead of driving drunk and stay safe.