Reports show that an estimated one million people are arrested for driving under the influence each year in America. This is a serious situation that can result in severe legal consequences. They’re designed to discourage people from drinking and driving, and for those who are charged with DUI, they can be life-altering. Take a look at five of the potential legal consequences of drunk driving.

1) Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties are among the most significant repercussions of driving under the influence of alcohol. They can vary depending on several factors, including your blood alcohol content, whether this is your first offense, and whether your actions resulted in injuries or fatalities. If you’re convicted of DUI or DWI, you may face fines, probation, and even jail time. You may be required to participate in alcohol medical detox and rehabilitation as well. If rehab isn’t a requirement, it may help you avoid jail time and could certainly help you start down a different path.

If you’re a first-time offender, you may receive a lighter sentence, such as only fines and probation. Repeat offenders tend to receive harsher penalties, though. In situations where driving under the influence of alcohol leads to injuries or death, offenders may be charged with felonies. Those, of course, come with much more serious consequences.

2) Driver’s License Suspension or Revocation

Another legal consequence of drunk driving is having your driver’s license suspended or revoked. Your license may be suspended before you’re even officially convicted of DUI. Getting it reinstated can be difficult and expensive.

Once you’re convicted, that suspension may be extended, or your license may be revoked altogether. Either way, you’d be unable to drive legally for at least a few months. That could affect your life in several ways. You wouldn’t be able to drive yourself to work or chauffeur around your children to name a couple of factors.

3) Ignition Interlock Devices

Some areas require people who’ve been convicted of driving under the influence to have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles. These are breathalyzer devices that are connected directly to vehicles’ ignition systems. Before starting vehicles fitted with these devices, drivers are required to blow into the attached mouthpieces to ensure their blood alcohol levels are within acceptable ranges. If their BACs are too high, the vehicles won’t start.

4) Potential Civil Liabilities

Aside from criminal penalties, potentially losing your license, and possibly having to have your car fitted with an IID, you could face civil charges. That would be the case if you caused any injuries, deaths, or property damage while driving under the influence. In such a situation, the victim could sue you for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other factors. That could result in considerable financial consequences in addition to the other repercussions you’d be facing.

5) Higher Insurance Premiums

Additionally, a DUI conviction could lead to higher insurance premiums. Coverage providers consider people with DUI convictions to be high-risk drivers. Insurance companies may refuse to provide coverage at all if you’re convicted of drunk driving. If you can’t get car insurance, you won’t be able to drive legally even if you get your license reinstated. In fact, you may not even be able to register a vehicle or renew its license plates without proof of insurance.

The Legal Bottom Line on Drunk Driving

Drunk driving can have serious legal consequences, including fees, jail time, and driver’s license revocation. In some areas, it may result in having to have an IID installed on your vehicle. Higher insurance premiums and possible civil liabilities may also come into play. Each of those factors can have a significant impact on your life as well as those of your family.