In a sobering reminder from the Maryville Police Department-TN, the cost of driving under the influence can run deep into your pockets. A social media post details the stark financial repercussions of getting a DUI, hitting an average of $10,000 in attorney's fees, fines, court costs, and more. Not to mention the loss of time at work and the spike in insurance rates. Shared in the cozy lulls between Christmas and New Year's, the message is clear: keep the holidays merry by avoiding the driver's seat if you've been drinking.
The post by the Maryville Police Department, shared to stir some sense into potential drunk drivers during the yuletide cheer, put it bluntly: "On average, a DUI can set you back $10K in attorney's fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, high insurance rates, and more." The cost is not just monetary though; the personal cost is immeasurable, and the safety of our roads hangs in the balance. By designating a sober driver or calling a rideshare, one keeps the financial and social festival intact, rather than derailing the lives of oneself and potentially others.
As holiday parties kick into full swing, the convenience of rideshare apps and the availability of designated driver services become invaluable. The Maryville Police's message offers a glimpse of hope against the often grim statistics of holiday DUIs. According to their recent post, by making the choice to drive sober or plan ahead, one can contribute to a safer community and avoid the steep fines, legal fees, and other costs that come with a DUI charge.
Yet, even with rideshare services just a few screen taps away, the temptation to get behind the wheel after a drink too many still prevails for some. In response to this ongoing issue, law enforcement agencies across the country are doubling down on their patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the holiday season. Not mentioned as part of a preventive strategy, but certainly implicit in the subtext of the Maryville Police Department's cautionings, is the understanding that the emotional and societal costs of DUIs are avoidable tragedies. So as the New Year looms, the recommended resolve could well be to celebrate responsibly and help keep the highways free of preventable sorrow.
