There are tremendous consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the United States Department of Transportation, approximately 30 people die daily from automotive death that is caused by drivers who drive under the influence of intoxicating substances such as alcohol. The reason for harmful substances like alcohol affecting a person’s cognitive functioning is that it reduces the brain’s ability to function, it impairs thinking which inevitably impacts reasoning as well as reasonable muscle coordination. When all of these functions are impaired, a person is unable to use essential abilities that are required to safely operate a vehicle. Alcohol is easily absorbed into the walls of the stomach, making it pass through into the bloodstream where it can accumulate until it is adequately metabolized by the liver. There are other factors such as your body weight that play a role in how much an intoxicating substance like alcohol can have on a person.
What To Consider Before Driving Drunk
Even though driving under the influence of alcohol is a common crime in America, it is still a crime with several consequences, and they can be summarized as the following.
- You can get your license revoked by up to two years if it is your first conviction. This means that you may face challenges in the future when you are trying to find a job, particularly in the automotive industry. Your freedom to drive around whenever you please will also be taken away from you. Having to rely on other people to drive you around can be stressful and frustrating.
- You will be required to have background checks done on you with every job that you apply for. The drunken-driving conviction will always appear under your personal information which could cost you lucrative employment opportunities.
- If you are currently employed and your reckless decisions land you a conviction, you may find yourself at the risk of losing your job because of all the time off that you may need to take to attend your court dates, community service, and in serious cases jail time. Employers are generally skeptical about hiring someone with a DUI conviction because it means that they are prone to reckless behavior.
- Insurance policy premiums are likely to increase following your convictions because you will be considered a high-risk driver. If you are a frequent offender, you may find that most insurance companies are reluctant to cover you. Getting your rates down again can be a difficult and long process.
- If you are still a student and want to apply for a scholarship to further your studies, you will find that many schools have a policy of not accepting students with DUI convictions and some scholarships could end up being revoked which is why background checks are conducted on prospective students.
The Bottom Line
A conviction for driving under the influence has the potential for many consequences that can last for many years to come. Responsible drinking is an essential part of social activity. A lot of deaths that involve drunk driving can be avoided if everyone abides by the rules. Having a conviction or being charged with vehicular manslaughter is a serious offense that can affect many aspects of your life including your job, social life and it can even filter down to your relationships. You should always make better decisions when you are out drinking instead of driving your car, you can order a cab to take you to and from the watering hole. If you know that someone has been drinking and wants to drive, intervene by taking their keys or arranging a safe ride home for them.
