Sadly, it is a fact that tens of millions of people actually choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing this not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk too, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and even time in jail. Quite often somebody who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse issue. A legal court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehab instead of other extreme penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eliminate other penalties of the crime, but can decrease the seriousness of such penalties to a large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol treatment and is a first time offender. Research has shown that a large proportion of people who do receive drug rehabilitation for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.