| of us enjoy celebrating on special occasions such as | | | | Repeat offenders face severe restrictions and |
| anniversaries, achieving significant milestones or | | | | penalties. |
| traditional festivities. A convivial atmosphere is created, | | | | However, many states do allow drivers convicted of |
| lots fun and laughter, and along with this goes the | | | | DUI, particularly first time offenders with a low level |
| consumption of good food as well as wine or beer on | | | | BAC infringement, to resume driving after having a |
| many of these occasions. Then there is the drive | | | | device called an ignition interlock installed. This device |
| home. | | | | requires the driver to prove they are alcohol-free by |
| There is no strict guideline that fits everyone when it | | | | providing a breath sample for analysis before the car |
| comes to deciding how many drinks to have before | | | | can be started. |
| driving. This is because there are a lot of variables, for | | | | So, it is possible to make a mistake, pay the penalty, |
| example, body size, liver efficiency, and alcohol content | | | | face the inconvenience but be back in the |
| in the drink. Some people feel the effect of alcohol and | | | | driver’s seat. Now comes the question of auto |
| accurately assess their inability to drive. Others do not. | | | | insurance premiums. Surprisingly, an auto insurance |
| Unfortunately, if a driver underestimates the amount of | | | | company may never find out about a DUI conviction. |
| alcohol consumed and drives with a blood alcohol | | | | This is particularly true if the penalty is minimal and |
| concentration (BAC) above the legal limit, that person | | | | carries little or no suspension of the license. |
| could find they are facing serious consequences, the | | | | However, more serious cases, in some states, mean |
| least of which may be the difficulty of getting auto | | | | that the convicted driver has to obtain an SR-22 from |
| insurance of any kind, let alone affordable auto | | | | their auto insurance company to prove to the motor |
| insurance. | | | | vehicle authorities that they have liability insurance. |
| There may be variations in some states but, generally, | | | | Should this be the case, the vehicle insurance |
| if a driver has in excess of .08g of alcohol per 100 ml | | | | company could react in various ways. An increase in |
| of blood, they are over the legal limit to drive. This | | | | the premium is likely, and the amount of the increase is |
| means that driving with this BAC is a crime. It is | | | | going to be related to the view the insurance company |
| possible to have a driver’s license suspended | | | | has of the risk the driver now poses. Insurance |
| immediately even before an official conviction has | | | | companies charge more depending on the perceived |
| been made under an initiative called administrative | | | | risk; however, there are differences in charges, so |
| license suspension. Although this does not apply in all | | | | shop around. Unfortunately, some drivers may have a |
| states, it is operative in most. | | | | struggle finding auto insurance as it is possible to find |
| Anyone can make a mistake, and this is | | | | the insurance provider withdraws all services and |
| acknowledged in the different penalties that apply. The | | | | cancels the policy. |
| higher the BAC, the more severe the penalties, but | | | | But, if a driver has had their license to drive restored to |
| following conviction of driving under the influence of | | | | them, there will be auto insurance available |
| alcohol (DUI) the driver may face license suspension, | | | | somewhere; just keep looking for the right coverage |
| and in more severe cases having the license revoked. | | | | at the best price. |