Cab Fare Vs DUI Charge
If you’re going out drinking and you don’t have a designated driver, you may want to consider forking over the dough for a cab—especially when you add up the costs associated with a DUI conviction. For instance, in the state of Alaska, you can expect to spend three nights in jail, which costs over $300. In the meantime, your vehicle (wherever it may be) can be impounded, which can cost about $500. Already, we’re talking about one expensive night of drinking when at most a cab fare would cost around $40.
Of course you’ll want to hire an attorney to fight this conviction because you know that if you don’t you could be facing far worse consequences and expensive fines. Legal services combined with court fees can cost up to $8,000 depending on the circumstances surrounding your case.
If your license is suspended, you will then need to pay for a cab or bus fare anyway unless you’re lucky enough to be able to walk to work, school and all of your errands. When you are able to receive your license again, get ready to hand over up to $500 depending on your state’s fees.
Again, using the state of Alaska as an example, you can be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle in order for it to start. Of course this will be installed at your cost, which can be pricey at up to $1,600.
As mentioned before, the costs of your auto insurance alone can be frightening (this is if your carrier doesn’t cancel your policy). If you are able to obtain auto insurance, you will be considered an at-risk driver and it could cost you up to $10,000 over a five-year period! And if all of these costs aren’t pricey enough, your employer may also fire you if they are made aware of your DUI conviction.
Add it all up and you could be paying over $25,000 for a DUI. Now a cab fare probably seems trivial. And keep in mind that is typically for a first offense DUI with no enhanced penalties. If someone is injured or killed in an accident, those fees could double.
