Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people choose to drive a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing this not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others in danger too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will almost always bring about serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases jail time. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse issue. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment as an alternative to other serious penalties for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eliminate other effects from the crime, but could decrease the degree of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the person willingly participates in drug treatment and is a first time offender. Research indicates that a lot of people who do receive alcohol and drug treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges down the road.