Sadly, it is a fact that tens of millions of people make the decision to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing this not just puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk also, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not result in serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and even jail time. Sometimes someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying substance abuse problem. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders alcohol and drug rehabilitation instead of other extreme consequences for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely eradicate other penalties from the crime, but sometimes decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Particularly if the individual willingly participates in drug treatment and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a lot of those who do receive drug and alcohol rehabilitation because of a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges later on.