No matter what kind of restrictions we impose on people that are convicted of driving while intoxicated, the problem doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Courts have been sending them to jail, taking away their licenses, and putting them on probation, but people still insist on getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs. There are thousands of innocent people that are killed every year by people who are under the influence.

A license suspension is usually the first step in a case of DWI/DUI. DWI refers to driving while intoxicated and the acronym DUI stands for driving under the influence. DUI is typically reserved for people who have consumed drugs whereas DWI often means that the perpetrator was drunk at the time of the accident. The penalties are quite similar for both drugs and alcohol.

License suspension for a DWI/DUI can happen for a variety of reasons. You can have your license suspended if you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test. In most states it is illegal to refuse a breath test, so the officer can suspend your license immediately if you refuse. If you are suspected of drunk driving but it has not yet been proven in court, there could also be a suspension on your license. However, it most commonly happens during the sentencing. A license suspension is a typical clause in the sentencing for impaired driving. The amount of time that it is suspended for depends largely on the nature of the offense.

If you were pulled over on a routine traffic stop and were intoxicated, your license will probably be suspended for a few months. It also depends if it is your first offense or not. However, if your negligence caused an accident or an injury, then your license could be suspended for years. Many drunk drivers that have killed somebody with their actions have had their licenses permanently suspended. This means that they will never be allowed to drive for the rest of their lives.

License suspension for DUI/DWI is not the only way that drunk drivers are punished. There are DUI schools that a judge can order the defendant to attend. These types of schools review the reasons why drunk driving is so dangerous and also show the people some videos on what drunk driving can do. Many of the people that are in these classes have already had their licenses suspended.

Another deterrent is the device that can be installed on the ignition of the person’s car. It is a machine that they will have to blow into whenever they want to start their car. If the machine detects any alcohol in their system, then the car won’t start. This can be quite demoralizing to do in front of other people but works as a great way to keep drunk drivers off the streets.

If you have never been convicted of impaired driving before, your license will most likely be suspended for anywhere between one and six months. If this is your second conviction, it could be years until you are allowed to drive again. And if it is more than your second offense, then you may never drive again.

If you have been hit by someone that was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, then you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to get you the money that you deserve so you will be able to cover all of the costs of the accident.