How much does drunk driving cost in different states

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Every year, about 1,5 million Americans are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the death rate and damage from these offenses cost the country 52 a billion dollars annually, writes Money Talks News.

For most drivers (depending on the state), the penalty in the case of the first detention for drunk driving is from $ 7500 to $ 10 000. This is not counting the cost of property damage or injury that you or your insurance company will need to cover in case of their presence.

Drunk driving cases are handled differently in each state. Some states provide for complex: administrative and criminal penalties, even in cases where the person first committed this offense. Some states give wide powers to judges to issue fines and determine their size.

Possible penalties, depending on the state, include: confiscation of the car, mandatory installation of ignition blocking devices (for example, a breathing apparatus that prevents the car engine from starting if the driver is drinking), compulsory treatment for alcohol dependence, removal of a driving license.

Judges usually have primary authority in setting fines, imprisonment, community service and other sanctions.

But the situation in each state is different. The harshest penalties for drunk driving are in the southwestern states, particularly in Arizona. At the first violation, the drivers receive a prison term of 10 days, the vehicle is confiscated from them, in addition, they are obliged to install an ignition blocking device at their own expense. Other states with the toughest penalties for drunk driving are Alaska, Connecticut and West Virginia.

South Dakota, on the contrary, is one of the mildest states in terms of punishment for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The first two arrests for this offense do not provide for imprisonment. The third time the driver will be charged with criminal charges, which may provide for imprisonment for a period set by the judge. But at the same time, the state does not suspend the validity of the driver's license and does not require the mandatory installation of an ignition blocking device. The other relatively soft states in this regard are the District of Columbia, North Dakota and Montana.

Although there are regional differences in the amount of fines and fees for drunk driving, it is expensive in almost all states.

Company OneDUI Insurance calculated the average costs of offenders arrested drunk driving:

• Total cost for first offense: $7 - $772;
• The minimum penalty: $ 400;
• Offense fee: $ 600;
• Gathering in a state restitution fund: $ 100;
• Alcohol Abuse Education Foundation: $ 50;
• Blood / breath testing fee: $ 37;
• Prison charge: $ 10;
• Courses in a special driving school after a similar offense: $ 375;
• Cost of reissuing a driver's license: $ 100;
• Lawyer service: $ 2500;
• Increasing the cost of auto insurance: from $ 3600 to $ 6000.

A conviction for drunk driving can also affect other areas, in some cases, the offender may lose his job, especially if his arrest is made public and damages the company's reputation.

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