One of the most important rules for drivers of all ages is that they shouldn’t drink and drive. This is for good reason, and the following are five reasons why drinking and driving will never be worth it.
1. There Are Legal Implications
The first reason you should never drink and drive is the legal implications that follow driving while under the influence. When you’re caught driving under the legal alcohol limit, you risk a lot of consequences, from fines and suspensions of the license to jail time. It’s important to be aware of your state’s legal alcohol limit, which, in California, for instance, is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Even when you know it, however, it’s advisable not to tempt fate and simply avoid drinking completely if you plan on driving somewhere.
2. It’s Risky For You and Other Road Users
The second reason why you shouldn’t drink and drive is the obvious risk that doing so creates, not just for you, but for other road users. Since you won’t be able to control your car well when you’re under the influence, you’re a risk on the road. If you cause an accident, you will hurt other people who were likely following the road rules. The risks run from minor fender-benders to more serious ones with fatalities, and you may have a hard time healing, both mentally and physically, after getting into or causing a serious road accident that will cause extensive damage to innocent people.
3. It’s Expensive to Fix the Resulting Damages
While experts say that between 80% and 90% of dents can be repaired with paintless dent repair or PDR techniques, it’s always expensive to take a car in for repairs. The vehicle notwithstanding, you may damage property such as buildings and such and be liable to pay for the damage as you will be in the wrong. Expensive hospital bills are not to be forgotten, as you will have to make sure that you and anyone else you injure in an accident get treated adequately. The aches and pains from a car accident may never truly go away, and this will be a burden you or the people you injure will have to carry with them for the rest of their lives.
4. You Could Affect Your Insurance Premium
When you get involved in an accident as a result of driving while under the influence of alcohol, you will most likely notice that your insurance premiums will go up. This is because you will be labeled a risk and your insurance company will want to minimize the liabilities you could cause them. Just one serious accident is enough to put you in the bad books of a number of auto insurance companies for a long time to come. With everyone looking for ways to reduce their costs of living, you will have effectively hiked yours.
5. You Could Get a Criminal Record
Finally, driving while drunk may have you carry the tag of a criminal record for the rest of your life. This is especially true if you cause a serious traffic offense, and it will make your whole life that much harder. Different states, as mentioned, will have different laws for drunk driving, some more serious than others. For instance, some people who are caught with a first-time DUI offense may be eligible for Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. Stay on the right side of the law by simply not driving if you’ve been drinking.
It’s now easier than ever to avoid driving after a session of drinking, given the many ride-hailing apps available. Don’t take the risk, and ensure you focus on your wellness by not getting into the driver’s seat while drunk.
