You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again. Don't drink and drive. Never. It's a bad move to make. There are way way way too many things that can go wrong. The consequences far outweigh trying it even once. If caught drinking and driving not only do you face numerous fines and fees (see the Colorado Department of Transportation chart on the cost of a DUI), you also face the lose of your license, and jail time. And I'm not talking second and third offense, first time offenders face serious penalties. Let me break it down for you.
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, in 2006 more than 1 million people were arrested for driving under the influence. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in Colorado 5,604 people were arrested last year for drunk driving. Nationwide 13,470 people were killed in 2006 in accidents that involved at least one driver who was over the legal limit. In all states a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal. If you kill someone while driving under the influence and are convicted of Vehicular Homicide, you face jail time. According to CDOT “Vehicular Homicide is a Class III Felony in Colorado. If you are convicted of drunken driving in a crash in which a person is killed, you can be sentenced to a minimum four years in prison, and the judge may sentence you to up to 12 years in prison. If you cause Vehicular Assault it is a Class IV Felony and you can face two to six years in prison. A felony conviction stays with you forever.
Even if you don't kill or hurt others or yourself while driving drunk, a first time DUI conviction weighs heavy on your life. According to CDOT at the time of your arrest, you can expect to “pay cash for a bond or bail fee and towing and storage. If you are convicted of drunken driving and you are a first offender with a clean driving record, count on spending at least $8,866." (See Chart) First time offenders can also be sentenced to anywhere from 5 days to one year in jail. CODT states, “You will be required to perform 48 to 96 hours of community service work and your license will be suspended for one year. You also face alcohol education classes and if not canceled, your insurance will go up 30%. Second offenders almost always face jail time, 10 days to one year and 60 to 120 hours of community service. Your license will be revoked for one year. And your auto insurance will be canceled. One more thing, if you're caught driving with you license under suspension or revocation for a DUI, you face a mandatory 30 days in jail.
With the Holidays here, these are extremely important facts to keep in mind if you are considering getting behind the wheel after a couple drinks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that “The Holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America's roadways due to an increase in drunk driving.” NHTSA also says that in December 2006, 1,076 people were killed in accidents caused by a drunk driver. The law enforcement agencies are out there, and they will catch you. Last weekend from December 14 to December 17, in what the agencies call the “Office Party Weekend”, 64 agencies across the state of Colorado made 251 DUI arrests. New Year's Eve last year, from December 29, 2006 to January 2, 2007, 57 agencies across the state made 449 arrests.
So this Holiday season, and throughout the year remember, if you're going to drink, don't drive. Make arrangements before you even leave the house for a designated driver. If you find yourself out and you've had one too many, call a cab, call a friend, call a family member. Just don't drive! From all of us at Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado, we wish you and your's a safe and joyous Holiday Season.
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, in 2006 more than 1 million people were arrested for driving under the influence. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in Colorado 5,604 people were arrested last year for drunk driving. Nationwide 13,470 people were killed in 2006 in accidents that involved at least one driver who was over the legal limit. In all states a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal. If you kill someone while driving under the influence and are convicted of Vehicular Homicide, you face jail time. According to CDOT “Vehicular Homicide is a Class III Felony in Colorado. If you are convicted of drunken driving in a crash in which a person is killed, you can be sentenced to a minimum four years in prison, and the judge may sentence you to up to 12 years in prison. If you cause Vehicular Assault it is a Class IV Felony and you can face two to six years in prison. A felony conviction stays with you forever.
Even if you don't kill or hurt others or yourself while driving drunk, a first time DUI conviction weighs heavy on your life. According to CDOT at the time of your arrest, you can expect to “pay cash for a bond or bail fee and towing and storage. If you are convicted of drunken driving and you are a first offender with a clean driving record, count on spending at least $8,866." (See Chart) First time offenders can also be sentenced to anywhere from 5 days to one year in jail. CODT states, “You will be required to perform 48 to 96 hours of community service work and your license will be suspended for one year. You also face alcohol education classes and if not canceled, your insurance will go up 30%. Second offenders almost always face jail time, 10 days to one year and 60 to 120 hours of community service. Your license will be revoked for one year. And your auto insurance will be canceled. One more thing, if you're caught driving with you license under suspension or revocation for a DUI, you face a mandatory 30 days in jail.
So this Holiday season, and throughout the year remember, if you're going to drink, don't drive. Make arrangements before you even leave the house for a designated driver. If you find yourself out and you've had one too many, call a cab, call a friend, call a family member. Just don't drive! From all of us at Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado, we wish you and your's a safe and joyous Holiday Season.
