Getting a DUI doesn’t have to be the end of the world — but for many of the victims of drunk drivers, drunk driving means the end of life as they know it. In spite of the serious consequences, many offenders don’t stop driving drunk after their first DUI. A significant percentage of motorists who are convicted of driving while intoxicated are repeat offenders who have already been caught multiple times. The number of repeat offenses suggests that these individuals aren’t getting the right treatment for alcohol/drug abuse in the first place.

DUI Penalties

If you are stopped for driving under the influence and a test shows that you have an alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more (0.04 in a commercial vehicle requiring a commercial driver license), or if a blood alcohol or drug test result is not available, you will lose your driving privilege on the spot. In addition, you will be required to complete alcohol or drug screening before you can obtain a restricted permit or reinstate your driving privilege.

It should be understood that you may be found guilty of driving while intoxicated or while under the influence of any drug or its metabolite even though the blood alcohol concentration was less than 0.08 percent. If you are under 21, your license may be suspended if there is any alcohol concentration.

If you refuse to submit to or do not successfully complete any tests when you are arrested for driving under the influence, you will automatically lose your driving privilege for 12 months or 24 months for a second refusal within 84 months. In addition, you will be required to complete alcohol or drug screening before you can obtain a restricted permit or reinstate your driving privilege.
In addition to any criminal penalties imposed by the court for a second or third offense DUI violation, your driving privilege will be automatically revoked.

DUI

First offense: You will be jailed for not less than 10 consecutive days and fined not less than $1,250. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device, and be ordered to perform community service.
Second and subsequent offenses: You will be jailed for not less than 90 days and fined not less than $3,000 and your license will be revoked for 12 months. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device, and be ordered to perform community service.

Extreme DUI

This category of DUI applies to a person with an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher.
First offense: You will be jailed for not less than 30 consecutive days with no eligibility for probation or suspended sentence and fined not less than $2,500. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and be ordered to perform community service and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device.
Second and subsequent offenses: You will be jailed for not less than 120 days, fined not less than $3,250 and your license will be revoked for 12 months. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device, and be ordered to perform community service.

Aggravated DUI

This category of DUI applies to a person who commits a DUI while suspended, revoked or canceled; commits a third DUI in 84 months; commits a DUI while a person under 15 is in the vehicle; or commits a DUI or refuses to submit a blood alcohol content test while under an ignition interlock device requirement.

You will be sent to prison for not more than two years and, in addition to any other penalty required by law, your license will be revoked for three years. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device, and be ordered to perform community service.

Certified Ignition Interlock Device

A certified ignition interlock device is a breath alcohol testing instrument connected to the ignition and power system of the vehicle. The driver blows into the device before attempting to turn the ignition. If the driver’s alcohol level is above a certain level, the vehicle will not start. While the vehicle is operating, the driver must blow into the device at random intervals.

How Many Convictions Does It Take?

In spite of the effort to increase awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence, many motorists will commit this offense multiple times. According to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers(MADD):

Two million people in the US have had three or more DUIs.
More than 400,000 people have had five or more DUIs.
Before being arrested for drunk driving for the first time, the average offender has driven drunk at least 80 times.
Even after having their licenses suspended, up to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue driving.
Over 59,000 people were killed in accidents involving drunk driving from 2006 to 2010.
Drunk driving accounted for over 30 percent of fatal car crashes in 2010.

DUI Diversion Programs

DUI diversion attempts to prevent repeat convictions by giving eligible offenders a chance at rehab. If you aren’t given the option to participate in diversion, ask your attorney, case manager or an addiction specialist about whether you qualify for a program in your community.

How Does Alcohol Consumption Affect Driving?

Alcohol can impair your judgment, which is one reason why so many people who are otherwise intelligent and informed take the risk of driving drunk — not only once, but numerous times. Along with causing you to take dangerous risks, alcohol can:

Slow your reaction time, so that you can’t apply the brakes or turn the wheel to avoid an accident
Interfere with your motor coordination, affecting your ability to maneuver a vehicle
Interfere with depth perception, making it difficult to judge distances
Interact with prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, so that you may be drowsy and lose coordination after only one or two drinks
Intensify your emotions, causing you to get angry or upset at other motorists when you’re driving

DUI Treatment

Destiny Outpatient Services offers DUI Treatment. The difference between our treatment and other DUI rehab’s or classes, is that treatment not only will treat your alcohol and/or drug program, we get to the root of your issues and treat the reasons why you drink or drug. The best part is that since it is treatment, your insurance will pay for your treatment.

Contact us today for your assessment. Assessments are $75 if you are paying cash or free if you are utilizing your insurance. Some insurances require you to pay a co-pay. We have co-pay assistance programs for those in need.

Call today: 602-249-6674