Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people decide to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not just puts one's life at risk and puts passengers and others at risk as well, but being caught driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not lead to severe penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, monetary penalties and in many cases incarceration. In many cases anyone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. The court system knows this, and is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug rehab rather than other severe consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eradicate other consequences from the crime, but tends to decrease the seriousness of such penalties to some large degree. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in alcohol and drug rehabilitation and is a first-time offender. Studies show that a large proportion of people who do receive drug and alcohol rehab for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for similar charges later on.