There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to drunk driving…

Many people have preconceived notions about getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, and many of them are incorrect. So in order to keep you updated, we have compiled a partial list of interesting and informative facts about DUIs in Michigan that you may find enlightening.

1. More men than women drive drunk

According to statistics released by the Michigan State Police, almost three quarters of drunk drivers are male. 73% of drunk driving related arrests are apparently men, with female drivers only making up the remaining 27%. Interesting, although there is no information to explain this phenomenon.

2. Less than 1% of the state’s population drive drunk

Or, more accurately, less than 1% of Michigan’s population have been arrested for drunk driving. There are always those people who do it but don’t get caught. However, according to the MSP, a total of 0.5% of the state’s populace were arrested for driving drunk.

3. Male arrest rates are dropping faster than female

Although statistics show that there has been a more substantial decrease in Michigan DUI arrests for male drivers than for female. Between 2005 and 2015, there was a 39% percent drop in male drunk drivers, but only a 22% drop in female drunk drivers. That makes sense, however, when you think about the fact that there are considerably more male drunk drivers to begin with.

4. OWI convictions are public record

If you have been convicted of driving drunk, this is now a part of your permanent record, and it’s available for the public to see. Which mean that this information is available for your employer, your university, your insurance company, and even your future spouse’s parents to see.

5. DUIs never go away

While state law does allow courts to expunge certain crimes from a person’s record, drunk driving is not one of them. Your DUI conviction is with you for the rest of your life, unlike a traffic ticket which falls off your record after a certain number of years. Well technically it never falls off your record but it isn’t counted against you when adding up the points against your license.

6. Most DUIs stem from alcohol, not drugs

According to the MSP, over 30,000 drivers were pulled over for suspected drunk driving in 2014. Of those drivers, 88% submitted willingly to some form of alcohol testing. The results revealed that only 21% of those tested did not have alcohol in their systems. This means that drugged driving is currently less of a problem than drunk driving is.

7. Three times isn’t a charm

That may work for baseball and sometimes even marriages (although not usually), but it certainly doesn’t apply to drunk driving. In Michigan, while the first two DUIs are misdemeanors, the third one is charged as a felony. Which means prison time is possible. So it’s very serious, and should not be taken lightly.

8. A DUI can affect your travel plans

Having a DUI on your record can mean reduced travel options in your future. Some countries, like Canada, can turn you away at the border or deny you a travel visa if you have a DUI on your record. Additionally, some car rental agencies will refuse to rent you a vehicle if you have ever been convicted of drunk driving.

We hope this was informative, or at the very least interesting. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our readers that drunk driving is considered to be a very serious crime in Michigan, and can have a life-long impact on your career and personal life. If however, you need our help, we are always here for you. Call 866-766-5245 to speak with an experienced drunk driving attorney today.