A DUI (driving under the influence) conviction can carry steep consequences that extend far beyond the initial fine and license suspension. Every day, 37 people in the US are killed in accidents caused by drunk drivers – in 2022, 13,524 people died.
Driving under the influence wrecks lives. From increased insurance rates to potential job loss, the financial, personal, and professional impacts can be severe and long-lasting. This article will examine some of the lesser-known but very real hidden costs of a DUI conviction.
Financial Costs
- Increased Insurance Rates: One of the biggest financial hits after a DUI is skyrocketing car insurance rates. Premiums may double or even triple, costing several thousand dollars extra per year. Some insurers may drop coverage entirely after a DUI, forcing the driver into more expensive high-risk plans.
- Court Fees and Legal Costs: Between court costs, fines, probation fees, and attorney expenses, the legal costs of a DUI easily run into the thousands. That said, it is vital to have experienced DUI attorneys on your side.
- Ignition Interlock Device: Most states require DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices in their cars for 6-12 months. This breathalyzer device costs over $100 for installation and around $60-80 per month in maintenance fees.
- Lost Wages: Those who lose their license after a DUI or spend time in jail may miss substantial work and lose out on income. Suspended licenses also necessitate alternative transportation, which can get expensive.
Personal and Social Impacts
- Strained Relationships: A DUI arrest causes stress and embarrassment that can damage personal relationships with friends and family members. Significant others may lose trust, feeling betrayed if they relied on the offender for safe transportation. The US crude divorce rate is 2.4; being arrested for a DUI could end your marriage.
- Mental Health Effects: Many DUI offenders struggle with guilt, shame and depression following an arrest. The financial stress can also take a toll. Some may benefit from counseling or support groups to process the experience in a healthy way.
- Travel Limitations: Those with DUIs on their record may face restrictions traveling internationally to certain countries like Canada. DUI offenders are considered “inadmissible” and denied entry.
Professional Consequences
- Job Loss: Those whose jobs involve driving or strict moral/ethical codes are at risk of termination after a DUI, which isn’t great considering the unemployment rate is currently 4.3%. First responders, transportation workers, teachers, military members and government employees often face discipline or dismissal.
- Difficulty Finding Work: A DUI makes securing future employment more challenging. The conviction appears on criminal background checks and may disqualify applicants from being hired, especially for jobs involving driving or children.
- Professional License Suspension: Doctors, nurses, lawyers and other licensed professionals may temporarily lose their licenses after a DUI, halting their ability to work legally in their field.
While the DUI fine itself may seem manageable, the many hidden costs that follow can financially devastate individuals and families. Moreover, the personal relationships, mental health and career prospects put in jeopardy reveal why a DUI should never be taken lightly.
Understanding these long-term impacts is important for both prevention and recovery.
