Drunk driving is a severe problem in the world. It has become one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and among the top 10 causes of property damage. Driving under the influence carries heavy punishments and results in jail time in severe cases. Following are some major consequences of drunk driving.
Mental anguish and suffering
The emotional pain and suffering of the victim.
The physical and emotional damage caused by accident.
Loss of a loved one, such as a spouse or child.
Emotional distress caused by the accident and its aftermath, including fear for your safety in case you are injured or killed in another vehicle collision (and perhaps also because you will have difficulty finding employment after being arrested).
Work-related limitations
When a drunk driver hits you, likely, your life will never be the same. In fact, many people who a drunk driver has injured cannot work for the rest of their lives. They may be able to work in limited capacities, but not at all—and even if they’re able to find employment that doesn’t require heavy lifting or extensive standing on one leg for eight hours at a time, it’s likely that the job itself will cause them additional pain and suffering.
Complete disability
It can be devastating if you get into an accident while driving intoxicated. You will have to deal with injury to yourself and damage to your vehicle and be unable to drive for months or even years. You may also need help with everyday tasks like feeding, bathing, dressing, etc., which can be quite difficult.
Financial compensation
If you’re in a car accident and the other driver has insurance, their insurance company will likely cover any damage to your car. But what happens if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? In that case, there’s nothing to pay out of pocket.
Even if you don’t have insurance, you will be liable to pay for the damages. If you are unable to do so, you may find yourself in a legal bind. You will face financial penalties, suspension of your driving license, jail time, or all, depending on the accident’s severity.
Fines and legal costs
The government sets the fines for drunk driving, which vary depending on how much alcohol you’ve had in your system. A first offense can result in a fine of up to $2,000 (and if it’s your second offense within five years, the maximum is $5,000). Suppose you’re convicted of driving under the influence while still having drugs or alcohol in your system. In that case, it’s considered an aggravated crime and will double the amount of money you have to pay at sentencing.
Drunk driving is cruel as it can cause some grievous consequences for someone’s life. Every year there are millions of DUI accident cases worldwide, taking millions of precious life around the globe. Therefore, be responsible; if you think you cannot drive under the influence, don’t take the risk and ask someone sober to drive you home.
