Aside from the dangers of driving under the influence, there are also many financial costs of drinking and driving. While it is difficult to calculate the exact overall cost of a DWI ticket, it’s safe to say it’s considerably higher than the cost of a cab ride. The fines for the ticket itself can be high, and some states require further steps after a DWI ticket. Legal fees will easily rack up in the thousands. In addition, your insurance premiums are likely going to increase drastically. And finally, if you are involved in any type of accident, the cost could skyrocket with car repairs or medical expenses. The costs of drinking and driving can be emotional and physical if you get into an accident, but even a DWI can easily cost you many thousands of dollars.
The Financial Costs of Drinking and Driving: Racking Up Bills
Fines
One of the financial costs of drinking and driving comes from the DWI ticket that you might receive if you are pulled over by a police officer. The cost of a DWI varies by state, but in North Carolina, the fines go up with each offense. You could pay as much as $10,000 in fines for a repeat offense. Some states also require you to take courses on safe driving and substance abuse which can cost several hundreds of dollars.
Legal Fees
Whether you intend to plead guilty or not, your legal representative for your DWI is another of the large financial costs of drinking and driving. In addition to a court appearance and attorney fees, you might need to post bail to get out of jail. You’ll likely incur towing costs from the police impounding your car. And in some states, you’ll have to install an ignition interlock device, or car breathalyzer, at your own expense.
Insurance Premiums
Another of the financial costs of drinking and driving is a hike in your insurance premiums. As a driver with a DWI, you’ll be classified as a high-risk driver. Therefore, your premiums could increase as much as 400% in the immediate years following a DWI conviction. And if you are involved in an accident, those premiums could get even higher.
Accident Costs
Finally, the financial costs of drinking and driving get substantially more expensive if you get into an accident. Not only do you have to deal with the physical and emotional fallout, but you could be looking at astronomical expenses as well. For example, medical care for injuries to yourself or another driver if you’re at fault. In addition, car repairs can be very expensive.
The financial costs of drinking and driving can easily stack up to many thousands of dollars, and even tens of thousands of dollars. Especially if you are at fault for causing an accident. Even if you do not wreck your car, you’ll still face financial consequences if you receive a DWI ticket. For example, you’ll have fines just for the ticket as well as charges associated with getting your car back. You might also have to post bail and pay legal fees to an attorney to represent your case. And of course, your insurance premiums will skyrocket after a DWI or accident. The average cost of a ten-mile cab ride home is around $20. Compare that to the many thousands of dollars that a DWI might cost you and you’ll see that drinking and driving is never the smart choice.
