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Drunk
driving is no accident!
In
the year 2000, an overwhelming 16, 653 people were killed in crashes
involving alcohol, representing 40 percent of the 41,821 people
killed in all traffic accidents. source:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Celebrations are a part of
our lives and sometimes those celebrations include alcohol. They should
not, however, involve impaired driving. Be the kind of friend or co-worker
who will take the keys if someone has had too much to drink. Let a designated
driver or cab provide a ride home. Decide who is the designated driver
before the party starts or before going out for the evening.
The United States Department
of Transportation offers the following statistics regarding the cost
of drinking and driving.
- A driving while intoxicated
(DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can cost as
much as $6,000 in attorney fees, increased insurance rates, towing
fines, court costs and bonding fees, and result in a suspended license.
- In many states, a DWI/DUI
conviction may remain part of a criminal record for life.
- Nine out of 10 insurance
companies automatically cancel a driver convicted on a DWI/DUI violation.
Consequently, the driver must find a high-risk insurance company,
and rates may increase $1,000 a year or more.
- An employee will lose
at least half-day from work for court appearances for a first DWI/DUI
offense and a whole day for a second offense.
- A person's driver's license
can be suspended or revoked for a DWI/DUI conviction, depending upon
the law in each state. A conviction in a state other than the residence
does not guarantee the home state's licensing agency will not be informed
and take action.
- A DWI/DUI conviction on
a person's driving record may prevent them from getting a job, a promotion
or even result in job loss.
IS
IT WORTH IT?
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