Sadly, it is a fact that millions of people choose to drive an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not simply puts one's life at risk and puts passengers in danger also, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases time in jail. In many cases somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol rehab as an alternative to other extreme penalties for crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in drug treatment 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 a great extent. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is a first-time offender. Research indicates that a large percentage of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment because of a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for similar charges down the road.