Regrettably, the simple truth is that tens of millions of people choose to drive an automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This not simply puts one's life in danger and puts passengers and others at risk too, but being caught driving while impaired (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) will typically result in serious penalties including driver's license suspension or cancellation, fines and in many cases prison time. Quite often a person who has been found guilty of DUI or DWI ultimately has an underlying drug abuse problem. A legal court system understands this, and it is therefore inclined to offer DUI and DWI Offenders drug and alcohol treatment instead of other serious penalties for their crime. Agreeing or obliging to participate in drug and alcohol treatment as a DUI/DWI Offender may not completely get rid of other penalties of the crime, but can decrease the severity of such penalties to a great extent. Particularly if the person willingly takes part in drug and alcohol treatment and is a first time offender. Research indicates that a large proportion of people who do receive drug treatment for a DUI/DWI offense avoid the court system for comparable charges later on.