Consequences of a DUI
December is an incredible time to reunite with friends and family. Driving short and long distances, people gather together in holiday spirit where more often than not, alcohol, spirits, or other substances are part of their social gatherings.
The month of December continuously demonstrates a spike in the number of individuals who drive impaired every year. Christmas and New Year's day are the most dangerous days of the year, in which there is an increase in traffic accidents and fatalities. Demographics show that young adults are the most likely group of individuals who will drive under the influence. Due to the increase of impaired drivers, December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Driving impaired includes the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or distracted driving. Awareness and prevention are essential to avoid tragedies on the road.
Consequences of Drunk Driving:
Law enforcement is hyper-aware that December brings in impaired drivers and increases their efforts to stop reckless driving. You will often see an increase in sobriety checkpoints, where police officers will use random rotations to check vehicles for impaired drivers. The probability of being stopped by the police and getting a DUI is greater.
Getting a DUI will come with a string of attachments that are not only costly but are long-term. A DUI charge does not go away. The severity of a DUI infraction will differ depending on your record, whether it is your first offense or if you have priors. Regardless, a DUI will come with thousands of dollars in fines, license suspensions, jail time, probation, DUI classes, etc. To learn more about California DUI penalties, click here.
Your car insurance cost will always increase after a DUI citation. Often, your insurance premium will double. You will then be considered a high-risk driver, and insurance companies do not take that lightly. Some insurances will refer DUI drivers to Progress, who provide more lenient coverages for drivers with a DUI history. For young drivers, who are also categorized as high-risk drivers and the most likely demographic to drive under the influence, your insurance will become considerably more expensive.
We all are aware that driving under the influence goes beyond the legal and costly ramifications. Lives are in danger. Often innocent bystanders or drivers pay the consequences for drunk drivers. About one-third of all vehicle-related accidents occur because of drunk driving. Driving under the influence puts you and others in grave danger, causing severe injuries or death. It is not worth the risk. At best, you get a DUI; at worse, you fatally injure yourself or others.
Be Prepared!
If you already know that you will be drinking tonight, having a route back home already established will save you the last-minute hassle of finding a ride home.
Have a designated driver, someone who has agreed to stay sober, and take you home at the end of the night.
Have your keys taken away before you even think about driving.
Having Uber or Lyft installed on your phone to get yourself a ride home (a $20-60 Uber ride home is better than the thousands in fines and jail time).
Mindfulness is essential to prevent more fatalities this holiday season. As long as you plan a way home and have people around you who have your best interest at heart, there is no need to be driving under the influence. We want you to have a great holiday while keeping yourself and others safe. Get home alive.
Let Griffith Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. help you choose a policy that will fit your individual needs. Protecting your assets, whether personal, business or both, is our goal.