Every year, thousands of people are hurt or killed because of drunk driving. Despite efforts to reduce the number of accidents caused by impaired drivers, drunk driving remains a worldwide problem that results in significant human and economic losses. There is an array of egregious consequences associated with driving while intoxicated. Here are some of them:
Blurred vision
Drunk driving is an unfortunate reality that risks the lives of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. One of the biggest dangers associated with driving while intoxicated is that your vision may become blurred, significantly reducing your ability to make split-second decisions accurately and effectively.
For instance, with your vision impaired by alcohol, you may not be able to adequately judge the speed or trajectory of oncoming vehicles in time to react and avoid a potentially devastating collision. Your ability to operate the vehicle safely is dramatically reduced when your vision is compromised by drugs or alcohol. Therefore, it remains important for drivers to refrain from drinking and driving to keep themselves and those around them safe on the roads.
Risk of injury
Driving under the influence of alcohol can cause unimaginable auto injury to oneself and others. As a result, many individuals end up requiring medical attention from an auto injury chiropractor for long-term rehabilitation or physical therapy. In some cases, auto injury chiropractic care can help individuals heal internally and physically after life-altering auto accidents due to impaired driving.
It is important to recognize the risks associated with drunk driving– including permanent disability through auto injury– and make the responsible decision not to hit the road when intoxicated.
Psychological trauma due to guilt and remorse
The psychological trauma caused by drunk driving can last a lifetime. The guilt and remorse experienced after being involved in an accident due to drunk driving can be debilitating. The knowledge that someone else’s life has been altered, or worse; taken away because of a thoughtless decision is often too much for a person to bear.
The mental pain of such remorse can affect the behavior and actions of the driver long after the incident has occurred and can create deep lasting emotional scars. Though there are laws in place designed to deter this kind of behavior, their true power lies in the destruction it can wreak on the psyche of an individual.
Property damage resulting from serious collisions
Drunk driving is an incredibly serious offense and not only affects those in the vehicle, but also those that may be affected by the consequences of drunk driving. A huge danger of this reckless behavior is the property damage that can result from serious collisions caused by a drunk driver.
From buildings to cars, to homes, a drunk driver has the potential to cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage with a single bad decision. Not only is it important for drivers to never drink and drive, but they should also be aware of who they share the roads with—as you never know if another motorist is impaired or not.
Reaching out to those who need help avoiding this dangerous habit is key in attempting to mitigate any further property damage resulting from drunk driving collisions.
Increased insurance premiums
With an increasing number of convictions each year, insurers have no choice but to respond by raising their rates as they factor in the perceived heightened risk of claims and damages. In addition to impacting wallets, these increased premiums also put more strain on strained households that may be unable to meet higher costs.
These decisions are made with the best wishes of encouraging people not to get behind the wheel while intoxicated; however, the financial burden can be too much for some families who may feel forced back onto irresponsible roads.
Legal fees associated with court proceedings
Not only are there health, moral and social dangers associated with drunk driving but there are also financial dangers as well. When an individual is charged with a DUI/DWI offense, they can be responsible for paying costly legal fees to ensure they receive proper representation in court proceedings. These fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the offense.
Furthermore, if you are found guilty then additional costs may be required such as fines, court-mandated rehabilitation programs, and even loss of job opportunities or worse. Being informed of all potential costs is essential to ensure one is not caught off guard later down the line.
Drunk driving is a dangerous way of life that has far-reaching consequences with devastating effects on individuals and families.