Driving under the influence has a number of potential repercussions, both financially and in other arenas of your life. There’s also the potential risk to property and life that you put others and yourself in when you drive under the influence. If you’re wondering just what ways a DUI can destroy your budget, have a look below to see its major financial implications.
You Will Pay Fines and Legal Fees
The fines that you pay as a result of DUI arrests vary from state to state, but they generally don’t come cheap. In Massachusetts, for instance, a DUI conviction may attract 30 months in jail as well as a fine of anywhere between $500 and $5,000. The more convictions that you get as a result of DUI, the higher the fines and jail terms will be. This is done with the aim of discouraging people from committing the offense and repeating it.
Your Insurance Premiums Will Be Increased
The moment your auto insurance providers learn of your DUI, they will increase your insurance premiums. This is because your liability increases and the insurance providers are a business looking to make a profit. They simply want to make sure that providing you with insurance coverage won’t be a massive cost for them that results in a loss. If you have to pay higher premiums, you will definitely have less money left over for other uses, effectively leaving a negative spot on your budget.
You Pay Impound Fees
Because you won’t be allowed to drive from the place you get arrested for a DUI, you will have to pay the impound and towing services to move your car. This means that you’ll not only be inconvenienced and have to find alternative transport, but you will also be out of pocket for the amount that you pay. The legal limit for alcohol when driving varies from state to state. In California, for instance, if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% and above, you will be arrested as you will have surpassed the limit.
You May Need to Pay a Mechanic to Fix Damage
If you damage your car or someone else’s car or property while driving under the influence, insurance may not cover the entire cost of fixing the damage. This means that you may have to match what they pay or even pay the whole amount by yourself depending on the circumstances. Auto repair charges could have a wide range depending on the specific damage that is being fixed. If not careful, you may need to pay a premium amount out of pocket, something that will leave you feeling the consequences for a long time to come.
Your Job May Be Impacted Negatively
Finally, information about your DUI could reach your employer and future employers as well. When employers know about it, depending on the policies of the organization, you may be out of a job. Even if you don’t lose your job, your reputation may be impacted negatively, leaving you ineligible for certain privileges. You may need to attend DUI classes, which are typically short programs designed to show the dangers that accompany driving under the influence. These may take up time you could have used to work on a project that would make you some extra money or do work that would help you become eligible for a raise, among other things.
Clearly, there’s nothing good to be said about driving while under the influence. The potential price that you stand to pay far outweighs the benefits, if any, that you feel you would get out of driving under the influence. Secure your budget and safety by avoiding DUI so that you can minimize the negative outcomes and live your best life.