Regrettably, the simple truth is that millions of people make the decision to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This not merely puts one's life at risk and puts passengers at risk as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even jail time. Sometimes a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse challenge. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehabilitation rather than other severe penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the person willingly participates in drug and alcohol rehab and is also a first-time offender. Research has shown that a large percentage of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges in the future.