If you’ve ever heard of drunk driving laws, you may have heard that there are penalties involved when it comes to being caught driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated. These two can sometimes mean the same, be interchanged, or mean two completely different things in some states. However, one thing is for sure, and it’s that drunk driving has penalties in place because drunk driving puts us in a position that could be potentially dangerous to ourselves and people around us. This situation is far more likely if we’re with our kids. Here’s some reasons why drinking and driving with kids is a huge no.
According to SR22 Insurance, perhaps the biggest effect of drinking and driving with kids can’t be seen in the act itself, but how it can affect the family in the long run. Obviously, accidents when driving under the influence with kids can result to very disastrous consequences, but perhaps these consequences can last for a lot longer than we’ve anticipated.
The Crash: Health, Injuries, Death
Unfortunately, one of the most obvious impacts of drinking and driving with kids is the potential accidents that can happen that may endanger the life of the driver and the children. If you drink a lot and you have kids, taking them home from a party where you drank can pose a serious threat to your safety, especially if you’re in an accident.
- Aside from the potential emotional and physical stress an accident can bring you, you have to consider the kind of impact this will have on your children as well – and not just the treatment of their injuries.
- Do remember that if an accident happens while you’re driving with kids, whatever happens to them can be blamed in part on you. The injuries they suffer and even death in the family will be on your hands because of your reckless negligence, and this can also get you in trouble with the law.
The Wallet: Financial Impact
Being caught driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated can have a variety of penalties depending on the state in question, but one thing is for sure: these proceedings can cost a lot of money on your end. The long-term financial obligations you have after a DUI or a DWI arrest can pose a major setback to your finances. DUI fees can range from $2,500 to up to $15,000 for a first time offense, and higher for additional offenses.
- Unfortunately, DUI or DWI cases don’t always just end up with paying fees. Sometimes, these fees increase depending on the severity of the crime, or even in tandem with imprisonment or conviction.
- Remember that getting through a DWI or DUI will also mean having to pay various fees in the court and for your attorney, plus other fees such as license reinstatement and even substance abuse counselling.
- Worse, if you’ve injured someone in the process, you may be liable for their injuries as well – aside from yours. Remember, if you plan on having your insurance pay the expenses, there might be an increase in insurance premiums and payouts you have to do. This can further increase your debt.
The Work: Employment Impact
Another unfortunate effect of drinking and driving with kids can potentially make you lose your work as some employers have policies that terminate the employee if they are discovered driving under the influence. These zero tolerance policies also applies in certain professions and can even be a reason to revoke their licenses, if needed. These include jobs such as teachers, stockbrokers, firefighters, teachers, police, nurses, and others.
- Do remember, however, that having a DUI or DWI record will be something that will be on your criminal record. This means if you do get laid off, there’s less chances for you to find work as a conviction can make it harder for applicants to be accepted on a job. Remember, some professions run significant amounts of background check on their employees, and these include checking public records and credit reports.
Conclusion
The tips above aren’t to discourage you from drinking entirely, but to make sure you drink more responsibly given that you have a family. We don’t want anything to happen to us or our children because we’ve had a few drinks, which means we can do adjustments to the way we behave at parties. If there’s an option to not bring kids to an event where we’re going have a few drinks, then that might be helpful. If there’s also an option to have someone drive us home, that is also a good precaution.
Regardless, it’s important to also remember that the above tips shouldn’t be treated as strict medical or legal advice. Always remember to consult a lawyer and/or a medical professional in order to fully understand drunk driving laws and/or the effects of alcohol in your system, especially when it comes to specifics such as the area you’re living and factors unique to you and your family.
About the Author: Vicki Haskett
Vicki is a law writing enthusiast who’s had over 25 years of experience in her field. She enjoys sharing her experiences with those who want to learn more about the legal world. In her spare time she spends quality time with her family and friends.
