Drunk Driving
Every Drop Matters When Drinking and Driving
A pair of sociologists from the University of California, San Diego has recently released a study in the journal publication Addiction which brings into serious question current standards for alcohol consumption and driving. The study researched linkages between blood alcohol levels and car accident severity and mortality. Study findings strongly suggest that our nation’s currently acceptable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08% is far from protecting drivers, their passengers and fellow motorists. Full Story
Costs for a DUI Offense Can Include Lifelong Employment Problems, Plus Shame, Depression
Fines. Jail time. Loss of employment. Loss of license. The penalties for having a DUI are severe and go much farther than marks on a driving record. The penalties for a DUI can last a lifetime in the occupational and emotional levels, beyond even the immediate tragic consequences including injuries or fatalities.
Once a person completes jail time, court appointments and pays penalty fines, their DUI consequences are just beginning. In terms of the workplace, many motorists who have received a DUI conviction find themselves let go on various grounds, including terms like “improper conduct.” Coworkers can shun a coworker who has received a DUI, causing serious problems completing projects and working in team settings. Employers may skip over a person who has a DUI offense when opportunities for promotions arise, even if the reasons aren’t stated to pertain precisely to the DUI.
In many cases, the DUI conviction affects a person’s ability to serve as a role model in their position of employment, thus justifying their termination from the position. In other cases, the license suspensions received from a DUI conviction render a person unable to perform their job duties and they can be terminated. New DUI laws for repeat offenders can mean a loss of driver’s license for a decade – making employment difficult to maintain. If classes are ordered by the court as part of the DUI punishment, a person with a DUI offense may not be able to maintain their work schedule, resulting in the loss of that employment position.
For job-seekers with a DUI conviction, a background check can put progress to a standstill. A candidate with a DUI on the record can face the loss of an opportunity to have an interview or to complete the application process. Not only will the person likely face delays in seeking new employment, financial obligations will also increase with dramatic jumps in car insurance rates or a loss of coverage altogether.
Emotionally, the effects of a DUI can last for years. In 2009, Republican legislative candidate Steve May removed himself from the race when his ten-day jail sentence and three years’ probation sentence surfaced, consequences of a DUI in Arizona. He stated in an apology for his behavior that his actions did not portray his plans to be a positive community influence, and made his apology in the midst of strong public criticism for his DUI conviction. When an ignition-interlock device or breathalyzer is installed into a driver’s vehicle, drivers have reported experiencing the stigma attached to having had a past DUI every time they start their vehicle.
A DUI offense is much more than a mark on a driver’s history. Many DUI convictions remain for a lifetime on a driver’s record, and can carry shame, anxiety and depression – along with missed opportunities for employment and a high cost to personal relationships.
Summer Holidays Remain Risky In Terms of Drinking and Driving Dangers
Heading out for a drive in the summer can be more dangerous than many people realize, due to increased likelihood of drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation says that the summer holidays – Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Independence Day – are second in terms of accidents with injuries or fatal accidents, with Thanksgiving taking first place. During the past decades, the summer holidays have seen a rise in fatal car accidents, and a significant rise in accidents related to alcohol.
States Explore Tougher Strategies against Hard-Core Drunk Drivers
Drunk drivers continue to be the cause of thousands of lost lives each year in the U.S., but now several states are taking a closer look at the “hard-core” drunk driver, who typically has a blood alcohol content twice that of the legal limit and has had numerous previous drunk driving offenses.
Drunk Driver Ordered to Pay Victim’s Estate Half a Million Dollars
The following is a cautionary tale about the financial consequences of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Although damages to those injured by a drunk driver’s conduct are often covered by the drunk driver’s vehicle insurance, damages are not the only financial considerations. As part of a state’s criminal law scheme, many judges award restitution to a victim who suffers financial loss due to the criminal activity of the defendant. Often, these restitution awards are not covered by insurance policies and must be paid out of the defendant’s own pocket. This is especially problematic when the drunk driver is married and assets are commingled or when the person’s major asset is the home that his family lives in.
Penalties for Refusing DUI Test Can Include Fines and Jail Time
As part of state and federal efforts to save lives on the road, drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs who want to “just say no” to a breathalyzer or other sobriety test may face serious penalties. Strict measures for refusing a DUI test are increasing in importance, especially when it comes to punishing repeat offenders, who may be searching for ways to avoid new arrests.
DUIs Prompt Calls for Mandatory Alcohol Testing for All Drivers
One of the newest and, some would say most radical tools that government officials have started to employ to combat driving under the influence (DUI) is the ignition interlock device (IID).
Celebrities and DUIs: Should the Stakes Be Higher?
On both celebrity news sites and prime time news, it is easy to find the latest crimes committed by the elite of Hollywood. Stars that are followed closely by Americans everywhere are spending time in nightclubs and then getting behind the wheel. While this behavior is certainly illegal and puts lives at risk, just what type of impact does it have on the general population?
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The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
