Colorado law does not permit anyone to drive when they have consumed enough alcohol for it to affect their abilities or after taking mind-altering drugs. Unfortunately, people frequently misunderstand the law.
They might think they can drive because this skill is adequate even if they are over the legal limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). They might mistakenly believe that prescription medication is legal to take before driving. Those accused of an impaired driving offense, especially in alcohol-related driving under the influence (DUI) charge will often plead guilty because they don’t see the charges as a serious issue.
Nobody got hurt, so they view the accusation as little more than a traffic ticket. However, in addition to being at risk of jail time in some cases, those who plead guilty to DUI offenses may not fully understand the financial impact of that choice.
1. Their insurance costs will go up for years
Every driver in Colorado has to have liability insurance on their vehicle, and what you pay increases when insurance providers have reason to think you may break traffic laws. A DUI charge on your record will substantially increase what it cost to ensure your vehicle. You can expect an annual premium increase of $601 for a DUI in Colorado. That’s a 34% increase in how much the average driver pays.
2. Licensing penalties can affect your career
The loss of your license is a common consequence after a DUI charge. How long you lose your license will depend on the circumstances and whether you have any prior DUI charges on your record. Losing your driver’s license will be an expensive inconvenience.
You have to use rideshare services, carpool with coworkers or catch public transportation to get everywhere you need to go. The cost of that alternate transportation can add up very quickly. There are also career consequences to consider.
If you drive for any part of your job, you may have to inform your employer that you can’t fulfill all your job duties until you regain your license. Not having your own transportation can also affect your attendance at work, which can cause real damage to your career.
Losing your license can be very expensive and inconvenient, and even installing an ignition interlock device (IID) to regain limited driving privileges will cost money. You can avoid all of those expenses, many of which will persist for years, by fighting back against the allegations made against you. Defeating DUI charges will mean avoiding a license suspension and a major blemish on your record.