Sadly, it's true that millions of people make the decision to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not merely puts one's life in danger and puts passengers among others at risk as well, 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 prison time. In many cases a person 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 treatment instead of other severe consequences for his or her crime. Agreeing or obliging to take part in alcohol and drug rehab as a DUI/DWI Offender might not completely eradicate other penalties of the crime, but sometimes decrease the degree of such penalties to a great extent. Specifically if the individual willingly takes part in drug treatment and is a first time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of people who do receive alcohol and drug rehab for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the courts for comparable charges down the road.