SHOULD THE PENALTIES FOR DUI BE INCREASED FOR CALIFORNIA DRIVERS?

By Mike Thomas
AllGood Driving School

Do you think the penalties for DUI should be increased for California drivers?

There are currently approximately 10,000 deaths due to DUI each year in the United States. The State of California makes up for about 10% of those. Multiply that figure by 10, and you get the number of people who are permanently injured each year as a result of DUI related crashes. Recent estimates put the financial cost to society as a result of DUI at around 132 billion dollars. Clearly, DUI is still a huge problem for society.

So, since we don't seem to be making much progress towards solving the problem, should the legal and financial consequences to DUI be increased. Let's look at what a first time offender for DUI currently faces.

1. Pay a fine of $390 to $1000 in addition to court and administrative fees.
2. Spend a minimum of 48 hours in jail, in addition to any time served on the day of arrest.
3. Have your license suspended for 6 months, with the possibility of it only being restricted to travel to and from work.
4. 3 years probation.
5. Attend alcohol awareness classes at the offenders expense, usually $500-$1000. Attend them every night for 2 weeks.
6. Receive 2 points on your record for the next 10 years This means insurance premium increases.
7. Pay around $3000 for a DUI attorney.
8. Possibly have to purchase and install an IID (ignition interlock device) on your vehicle at your expense.

On average the total cost to a person convicted of DUI in California runs around $10,000.

Now consider that NONE of this has changed, with the exception of the IID, for the last 25 years. So, considering the fact that DUI is still a huge problem, do think these consequences should be changed, and if so, what changes would you make?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS!

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