Beyond the Physical Dangers of DUI
Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can be detrimental to one’s health as well as the well-being of other motorists, passengers, and people passing by. To make matters worse, getting convicted of DUI can drastically cut your career opportunities and affect your professional lifestyle for the long term. For those unwilling to cut back on their daily dose of medication or put down that bottle of Whiskey, here are eight things you should think about before driving under substance influence.
Suspension of License
Losing your license means losing your private transportation to and from work. This means you’ll have to hail a taxi, carpool with work buddies, or taking the bus or train. All of these options are very hassling and inconvenient, but more importantly they can result in tardiness and the possibility of getting fired.
Loss of Income Source
If you drive a taxi for a living or make passive income as an Uber or Lyft driver, getting caught driving under the influence of any substance will end your career immediately. DUI not only causes loss of income, but some expenses incurred as well. Getting back your suspended license will cost you a reissuing fee of $125 from the DMV office.
Difficulty in Getting a Professional License
Aspiring nurses, doctors, brokers, and lawyers all require a license to be able to operate within their respective fields. Heck, even plumbers need a license to operate legally. Being arrested for DUI must be reported to licensing agencies otherwise incur penalties and revocations later on. This can make it unnecessarily difficult to obtain the license you need to work, which basically leaves you unemployed.
Lower Career Opportunities
Job prospects can dry up faster than a Californian drought if you get arrested for DUI. Although some states protect the privacy of job applicants by disabling employers from asking about past arrests and convictions, many employers still do it. Even if you do manage to get away from the initial job interview questions, the DUI case will be available in public records and driver’s license records.
Missed Advancement Opportunities
Getting caught for DUI can land you some jail time, which means you probably won’t be winning “Employee of the Month” award anytime soon. Even if you don’t get caught, drinking uncontrollably and getting intoxicated frequently can lead to poor work performance, which means you put yourself at higher risk of getting fired than getting promoted.
Lower Acceptance Rate
If you decide to pursue higher education, be it a bachelor’s or master’s degree in your respective profession, a DUI can be used by the university or college as grounds for rejecting your application. Your criminal record can restrict you from going into the top schools of your country even if you have the financial and intellectual means to get in. And while you can still get the degree you want, it often doesn’t have the clout that Ivy League schools offer.
Time Restrictions
Instead of being able to work or learn more about your profession and what you are truly passionate about, being convicted of driving under influence subjects you to take DUI classes and/or counseling sessions before reissuing your driver’s license. Time is an invaluable resource when it comes to getting to the top of your chosen career ladder. Having to attend these legal requirements can consume most if not all of your downtime from work.
Professional Restrictions
DUI convictions can also restrict you from pursuing certain professions that you were initially planning to pursue. For instance, if you have a criminal record, it’s almost impossible to work as a police officer, teacher, or even a commercial truck driver, something you should definitely think about first before turning the car ignition while intoxicated.
Overall, it’s better to moderate your drinks rather than have too much fun. The road has always been inherently dangerous to traverse, even more so for drivers under the influence of substances. Seek the expertise of a traffic and criminal lawyer to help prevent future cases of DUI and dispute current ones.