This holiday season the average person will spend around $800 on gifts for family and friends. Throw in a party or two and the number can very easily double.
Get caught drinking and driving (1st offense) and you will spend on average:
• Bail $1,000 plus administrative fees
• Attorney fees between $3,000 and $5,000 or more.
• Revoked driver’s license for 90 days. After 45 days, you may be eligible for a restricted license which will enable you to drive to and from work. What will it cost you in cab fare or favors from friends to get to and from work?
• Jail for at least two days. (Loss of pay from work?)
• Fines between $400.00 and up to $1,000
• Mandatory DUI school $150.00 average cost
• Possible court order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program
Now add in:
• Reinstatement of driver’s license $65.00
• Victims compensation civil penalty $35.00
• Driver’s license application fee $21.75
• Retake the vision and written test and possibly the skill tests
• Have your insurance company file an SR-22 certificate with the DMV for three years (higher insurance rates)
When you compare these costs to spending time with your family and friends, a DUI is one gift you do not want this holiday season.
— Sgt. Scott McDaniel of the Carson City Sheriffs Office writes regular public safety columns that appear here.