During the holidays, drinking and driving is way up and the police are always on the lookout for the slightest sign of an intoxicated driving situation. The consequences of getting charged with a DUI are not just limited to being fined by the court or paying a higher insurance premium. The legal ramifications could impact your life in various ways long term.

Drinking and Driving is Dangerous

Alcohol reduces the brain's ability to function properly and decreases peripheral vision, slows reaction time, which ultimately affects your ability to perceive potential dangers on the road and react accordingly. As a result, it becomes more challenging to make good decisions while driving—whether it's deciding what speed is safe or whether you can make a turn with enough room, you're less apt to make smart choices when drinking.

Safe driving depends on being able to respond quickly to dangerous situations that may occur on the road. For example, if it starts raining, you must be able to quickly react to a sliding vehicle by slowing down and changing lanes. If you are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, your reflexes may be slower than normal, resulting in a traffic accident involving civil and criminal repercussions.

Strict DUI Penalties in California

A California DUI conviction can have far-reaching consequences, including:

· Suspension of your California driver's license for one year.

· Fines, fees, and surcharges up to $10,000.

· Jail time of up to six months.

· Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.

Each year, local law enforcement agencies increase the number of officers on the streets during the winter months leading up to Christmas and the New Year. The goal of this maximum enforcement period is to reduce drunk driving accidents by looking for signs of impairment while on patrol and establishing sobriety checkpoints on local highways and at intersections within neighborhoods.

Higher Insurance Premiums

If you are convicted of driving under the influence, insurers will likely consider this an aggravating factor when calculating your insurance premium. This will lead to higher rates that could make it difficult for you to afford car insurance in future years or even at all if your premiums become too high!

The consequences of being charged with a DUI are not just limited to being fined by the court or paying a higher insurance premium. The legal ramifications could impact your life in various ways long term.

Get Our Top-Rated DUI Defense Attorneys on Your Side

If you have been charged with DUI, you will want to exercise your right to a DMV hearing within 10 days. The outcome of this hearing may mean the difference between losing your license and keeping it. Kann California Law Group is the DUI defense team you want on your side from the beginning. Call us today at (888) 744-7730 or fill out this online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced DUI lawyers. We will help you understand your rights, your responsibilities, and how we may be able to mount an effective defense to protect your rights.