Top Reasons Why It’s Not A Good Idea To Drive After Drinking

It’s a well-known fact that drinking and driving are dangerous. But what many people don’t know is just how dangerous it can be. Drinking and driving are among the leading causes of death in the United States. Every year, thousands of people are killed in alcohol-related accidents. And those are just the deaths that are reported. Many accidents go unreported because the drivers involved are either killed or too injured to report. Here are the top six reasons why you should never drink and drive:

1. It’s Illegal

This one is pretty obvious. If caught drinking and driving, you will be arrested and could face jail time, loss of your driver’s license, and steep fines. A Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer explained that you will face serious penalties if you are convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). These include jail time, driver’s license loss, and hefty fines.

Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you could also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. This device requires you to blow into it before your car starts. The device will not allow your car to start if you have been drinking.

2. Your Insurance Premiums Could Increase

In most states, it is illegal for an insurer to raise your rates after a DUI conviction. However, even if it is not technically illegal, most insurers will still raise your rates if they find out that you’ve been convicted of a DUI or had an accident while intoxicated. This can be very costly for the driver involved, as premiums often go up by hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.

Some people drink and drive because they believe their insurance company won’t find out about the conviction. However, this is usually not the case. Most insurers have access to databases that list all DUI convictions in the United States. So if you’re caught drinking and driving, it’s likely that your insurance company will find out about it and raise your rates.

3. You Could Hurt or Kill Someone

This is the most important reason not to drink and drive. You are putting yourself and others at risk when you get behind the wheel after drinking. Drunk drivers are much more likely to be involved in accidents than sober drivers. And these accidents are often much more serious than those involving sober drivers.

When you drink and drive, your judgment is impaired, and your reflexes are slowed down. This makes it difficult to react quickly when something goes wrong on the road. And if you hit someone, the consequences can be tragic. You could end up killing someone or injuring yourself and others. 

4. You Could Lose Your Job

If you drink and drive, you could lose your job. This is especially true if your job requires you to drive a company vehicle. In most cases, companies have a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving. So if you’re caught driving drunk, you will likely be fired. So if you’re thinking about drinking and driving, think again – you could lose your job. Here are just a few of the ways that drinking and driving can lead to job loss:

• You could be arrested and convicted of a DUI, which would go on your permanent record. This could make getting certain types of jobs difficult or even impossible.
• You could be involved in an intoxicated accident, leading to injuries or even death. This could result in civil liability for you, and your employer could also be sued.
• Your employer could have a policy against drinking and driving, and you could be fired for violating that policy.

5. You Could Be Charged With a Crime

Drinking and driving is a crime in most states. If caught driving drunk, you could be charged with a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated). These are serious charges that come with heavy penalties. In some states, a DUI conviction can result in jail time, loss of your driver’s license, and steep fines. In some states, you may even be required to install an ignition interlock device in your car, which prevents you from starting the vehicle if you have been drinking.

6. You Could Damage Your Car

Drunk driving can also lead to car damage. You could seriously damage your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident while intoxicated. And even if you don’t have an accident, drinking and driving can still take a toll on your car. For example, you could swerve off the road and hit a tree or other object. Or you could drive over a curb and damage your tires or suspension.

Drinking and driving is never a good idea. It’s illegal in most states, it’s expensive, and it’s dangerous. If caught drinking and driving, you could lose your license, pay hefty fines and even go to jail. And if you injure or kill someone while drunk driving, you could spend years behind bars. So please don’t take the risk – always designate a driver or take a taxi when you’ve been drinking.