Posts Tagged ‘driving under the influence’

Driving Under the Influence- Risk and Costs

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Can you look back on your life and think of something you did that you regret? A DUI does just that, but the consequences can go on long after court fees have been paid.

Many times, we get in the car and don’t think about other people around us drinking and driving, but it happens. If you see someone swerving in and out of lanes, or doing anything could be dangerous, call 911 to report them. This way you get them off the road before they hurt themselves or others.

If you drink and drive, chances are you will get caught. More and more citizens driving under the influence, but if you get caught the stiff punishment will be with you for a long time. So think the next time you drink and want to drive.

If you drink and then get behind a wheel you run the risk of hurting yourself or others, and getting a ticket. By getting a DUI placed against your record, many unwanted things may happen. You may get into an accident. Criminal charges can be filed if you hurt someone, which may result jail time. The DUI goes on your driving record. This makes your insurance rates increase, and it takes a long time to get this removed. So, think before you drink and drive, because if you get caught you pay for it a long time. One night can cost you your life.

If you get a DUI marked against your license, insurance companies are signaled. This raise your insurance rates because they feel you are a driving risk. When you are renewing your policy or get a new policy, insurance companies require a driving record. If this driving record shows a DUI, they will issue points against you and your insurance premiums will go up because you are now considered a risk.

Companies are alerted when you are a high risk driver. In their point of view, one DUI on your record means that you are more likely to get another. The next DUI could be far more serious, with someone critically hurt or injured. If this happens, the insurance has to pay out for those bills. Because of this risk, they will make sure that once you get a DUI you will pay higher rates.

Most insurance companies require you to file a SR-22 once convicted of a DUI. Having an SR-22 states that you have enough insurance to cover you in the case of an emergency, as required by your state. If your insurance goes up, it can stay high for the next several years. Even after the legal fees are over with, the consequence of driving under the influence still lingers for years to come.

The next time you want to drink, make sure you have a designated driver or you plan on getting a cab, because the consequences are stern.

Driving under the influence can hurt more than just you.

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Understanding DUI

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

It seems like these days almost everyone knows someone who has been arrested for a DUI. The surprising thing is that despite the commonality of the phrase there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding what a DUI actually is.

The abbreviation DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence.” More commonly, people refer to it as drunk driving. However, that is not necessarily an appropriate meaning because a DUI does not simply refer to alcohol which drunk driving implies. A DUI can actually refer to alcohol, but also other drugs legal and illicit. Additionally, people may thing that you can only get a DUI while driving a car, but that is not true. In fact, a DUI can be given for those driving cars, motorcycles, boats, trucks, and even planes.

Since a DUI is treated in the same manner as any other criminal offense, the consequences are also more severe. The reasoning behind this is that before you can get a driver’s license that you have to pass the written test and part of that is proving knowledge of what driving under the influence entails. In addition, if you are caught and charged with a DUI then you not only put yourself at risk, but also everyone else on the road.

Typically, a DUI is determined by your Blood Alcohol Content or BAC. However, that is not the only way that you can be convicted of a DUI. The legal limits vary from state to state so you need to be sure that you are aware of what your local limits are.

If you go behind the wheel of a car be sure you know what other things fall under the DUI category. It is not alcohol alone but also illegal drugs and many prescription ones that warn of “operating machinery”. All can lead to a DUI conviction.

However, perhaps the oddest way that you can get a DUI is actually with something that seems nearly harmless. Cough syrups and cold medicines often have alcohol as an ingredient. If you take too much and then get on the road, your blood alcohol level might be above the legal limit.

Once you have been arrested for a DUI, you have a variety of consequences that you could be facing. Again, as each state has different rules you cannot expect the same consequences from state to state. However, some of the most common punishments include fines, license suspensions and restrictions, probation, and even jail time.

Finally, there is the consequence you don’t think of and that is your automobile insurance. If you are arrested for a DUI and convicted you will have to fill out an SR-22 form and your insurance company may opt to drop you and since you are now “high risk” you also face higher premiums and deductibles because you are considered high risk.

This information is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

For top quality information on Maine DUI laws, please visit this site which has very good help with DUI laws in Maine.

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