In Illinois, law enforcement will have an increased presence on the highways until Jan. 2 to remove drunk or drug-impaired drivers from the road. Illinois State Police and the Department of Transportation have created a campaign titled “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”, demonstrating their no-tolerance policy towards intoxicated driving.
Chicago attorney Rob Kohen, a partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., whose COO sits on the advisory board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is accepting no excuses. Whether someone is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescribed medication, they should not be driving.
In the previous year, over 27,000 people in Illinois were arrested for driving under the influence, contributing to the 300 deaths from alcohol-related crashes. Kohen suggested alternative ways to get home from the holidays, such as ride-share services, public transit, or designating a sober driver. He emphasizes that an accident resulting from impaired driving could lead to lifelong regrets.
Penalties for first-time offenders include losing their driving privilege for six months to a year and paying a possible fine of $2,500. Refusal to take a breathalyzer test during a traffic stop could result in immediate revocation of their driving privilege.
A DUI conviction can have enduring repercussions, including a permanent criminal record that could disqualify offenders from certain jobs. Additionally, the consequences include the high cost of court fees, legal fees, fines, and increased insurance premiums. Once driving privileges are reinstated, offenders will face higher insurance premiums for several years.
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