Drunk Driving - An Offense with a Hefty Price Tag

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Drunk Driving – An Offense with a Hefty Price Tag!

August 8, 2012
Author: Chris M. Alexander

Did you know that alcohol-impaired motor vehicle crashes cost more than $37 billion annually? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration quotes this fact. Alcohol is evidently taking a heavy toll from the national exchequer every year, but did you realize how costly drunk driving can be for you as an individual?

If you get caught driving under influence, even without causing any damage to life or property, the cost of drunk driving can amount to quite a hefty sum. Here’s a roundup of how the toll on your wallet adds up.

Bail
If you are arrested for drunk driving, you’ll need to be bailed out too. At a minimum, this would cost you anywhere between $200-250, though the cost may go up as high as above $1000.
Towing the Car
Because you got arrested, you car will get towed away and will also be taken in for storage for a few days. At a minimum, this costs about $100. But if you get caught in a city like Chicago, your bill for just the first 24 hours could be as much as a whopping $1,200!
Drunk Driving Fines
You’ve broken the law and you’ll have to pay a fine. The fines have also gone up dramatically over the years, with some states charging over a grand for the offense. At a minimum, expect to be paying about $400-500.
Attorney’s Fees
If you decide to file a quick guilty plea, the attorney may charge about $250. But if you decide to contest the charges, there is no limit to how much you may end up paying, depending on how many trials you may have and the complexity of your case.
Increased Insurance Costs
If you are caught drunk driving, you cannot escape the keen eye of your insurance agent. Your insurance rates will likely be affected for the next three to five years, with an average hit of about $1500 annually. Multiply by three, and your minimum toll comes to a whopping $4,500 at least!
Alcohol Evaluation Costs
You may be ordered an alcohol evaluation if you are sentenced for drunken driving. This could cost anywhere between $100-250.
Drinking Driver Program
For those who are convicted, an educational and treatment program may be ordained. The price of this varies widely depending on the type of program, but typically a minimum fee of $150 is charged.
License Reinstatement Fees
Needless to say, your license will be confiscated. When you are fit to claim it back after meeting all the required legal conditions, the bill may be anywhere between $100-250.
Miscellaneous Hidden Costs
People have to stay absent from work, get marked for a criminal offense in most states which affects employment prospects, and if their job duty involves driving, they have to take a hit on their income too. These costs vary from person to person.

These are just minimum estimates for some of the costs and penalties involved, and these round up to about $7,000. The New York State Police Department estimates a minimum toll of $8,250 for the offense, while it is believed to be close to $1,200 in the state of Illinois.

Note that these are minimum estimates, and the actual bill will likely be even heftier. This is one costly offense. If nothing else motivates you to go sober, perhaps the incentive of saving a few grands might!

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