Drunk driving is an extremely serious crime that causes the serious injury and deaths of thousands of innocent victims on our roads and highways every year. I'm writing this hub for the victims of drunk driving and in an effort to somehow educate people of all ages who either engage in driving while intoxicated or are tempted to drink and drive.

What exactly do DUI and DWI mean?

DUI means Driving Under the Influence (usually of alcohol and/or other drugs) and DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated. To get arrested and a conviction for DUI or DWI requires that you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% of higher and failure to pass a Field Sobriety Test (FST). This is when the police office tests to see if you're under the influence of alcohol (DRUNK!) by having you walk the white line, balance on one leg and perform various counting exercises.

What are the consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction?

The consequences of being found guilty for driving under the influence of alcohol are extremely serious. The most lenient punishment is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. In the event that the drunk driver has caused serious injury or death to the victim this is referred to as felony DUI and he or she may be charged with vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide and this is punishable by a longer term in state prison. In some states such as California if the DUI defendant has had multiple DUIs over the past few years he or she can even be charged with second-degree murder!

Find a good DUI or DWI attorney / lawyer

If you have the tendency to drink and are tempted to drink and drive you're headed down a road to disaster. You need to get in touch with a good DUI lawyer or DWI lawyer who can advise you on the subject of drinking and driving. Even if you don't personally know any drunk driving attorneys in your area at least try to get to know a local lawyer. This way in the event that you get caught up in a DWI court case your lawyer friend will be able to introduce you to a drunk driving lawyer.

KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF DWI and DUI IN YOUR STATE!

It's human nature to want to take risks without knowing and fully understanding the consequences. You say, "What I don't know can't hurt me." Well, when it comes to drunk driving not only can it hurt you, it can KILL you and other peoples' families and children! I strongly urge you to learn the exact terms of the DWI/DUI law in your state. I bet after reading them you'd be scared of the consequences of driving drunk on your highways and would have a less likely chance to drink and drive.

Consider refusing the Field Sobriety Test and BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) test

In order to get convicted for DUI / DWI the state needs proof that you were indeed driving under the influence of alcohol. If you have had a few drinks - even one our two - you may be at that critical 0.08% BAC level when getting pulled over. If you agree to blow into the breathalyzer machine for the BAC or fail the Field Sobriety Test (FST) you're giving the exact proof it needs to convict you. In some states refusing the BAC and Field Sobriety Tests are viewed of admissions of guilt. That's why in the paragraph above I suggested contacting DWI lawyer to know the exact consequences of DWI in your state.

Give your keys to a bartender or friend

Now I'm going to get into what I call my common sense suggestions for avoiding a DWI. When you go out drinking and end up in a bar and know that there's a high chance that you could end up getting on the road under the influence of alcohol why not just hand your keys over to the bartender upon arrival at the bar? Believe me, this simple act not only could save you from a DUI conviction but it could save the lives of somebody elses' children.

Find a designated driver who will stay sober

The concept of having a designated driver who stays sober and drives all his drunk buddies home has been around for so many years. But, groups of friends and colleagues continue to go out drinking together, never think of selecting a designated driver, and end up with one of them driving drunk and getting a DWI. Please, just have one person agree to not drink and look after everybody else!

Key the telephone number of a taxi company into your cell phone

This is probably my simplest and most common sense suggestion I'll make in this hub. If you want to avoid getting a DWI or getting on the road under the influence of alcohol JUST TAKE A TAXI HOME! Go online and find a half-way decent taxi service in your area. Even if you live in a more rural area I'm sure there is a taxi operator in business there. If you've been drinking and try to make excuses against taking a taxi home they simply won't fly. Just think, by simply taking a taxi and maybe being late to work the next day because your car is still parked at the bar you could have 1) Prevented yourself from being convicted of a DUI and 2) Saved innocent peoples' lives. So please, if you've had a few too many just take a cab.

Have a friend or family member on standby in case you need a ride

Here's another common sense recommendation for avoiding getting a DWI. What you should do is have either a family member or close friend know or at least be aware that you have the tendency to like to go out and drink. In the event that you'd be driving under the influence simply call them and tell them to come pick you up. If you can name one parent who would refuse to come and pick their kid up and let him/her drive drunk I'd be very surprized. Again, so what if you're late to work the next day because you mom had to drive you home. Isn't that better than losing your license and doing time in the slammer for drinking and driving?

Hold yourself to a higher standard

For now this will be my last and final piece of advice for avoiding getting a DUI or DWI: Hold yourself to a higher standard. By this I mean making a self-declaration to and about yourself: "I do not drink and drive." Simple. You make a personal decision that you do not want drinking and driving to be any part of your life. By making such a declaration and trying to stick to it a day at a time you'll be well on your way to completely avoiding drinking and driving.

Closing words - maybe AA is needed

If you've made it this far down the page and nothing you've read above makes any sense to you and / or you don't think you can even consider this advice then I believe you need to click here to for free professional help.

There's a very high likelihood that alcohol has become a problem for you in your life and that you need to get help with your alcoholism as soon as possible. Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people all over the world to fight their alcoholism and it can help you too to not only become healthier yourself but keep our roads and highways safe from drunk driving injuries and deaths.