Regrettably, it is a fact that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Doing so not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers in danger at the same time, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will usually bring about severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and also jail time. Sometimes somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment rather than other extreme penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely get rid of other penalties of the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in alcohol and drug treatment and is a first time offender. Research has shown that lots of folks who do receive alcohol and drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges later on.