Sadly, it's true that tens of millions of people choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. This not simply puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others in danger as well, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will more often than not cause serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines as well as prison time. Often times someone who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse challenge. The court system knows this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug treatment instead of other extreme penalties because of their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender might not exactly completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but could decrease the degree of such penalties to some great extent. Specifically if the individual willingly participates in drug and alcohol treatment and is also a first time offender. Studies have shown that a large percentage of people who do receive drug and alcohol treatment for a DUI/DWI offense stay out of the court system for comparable charges in the future.