The state of South Carolina has harsh penalties for anyone caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, studies have shown that many people continue to drive under the influence after racking up a DUI charge or two. Repeat offenders are some of the most dangerous people on the road.

What are the statistics for repeat DUI offenders?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gathered data from twelve states to assess the dangers of drunk driving. In their research, they discovered nearly a third of all DUI charges involved repeat offenders. This suggests that many people don’t change their ways after being pulled over for a DUI the first time, even though repeat offenses carry harsher penalties.

The research also showed that repeat DUI offenders are incredibly dangerous on the road. A person who has a DUI charge becomes four times as likely to cause a fatal car accident. The likelihood that they’ll cause a fatal wreck increases with every DUI charge they receive. Despite this, thousands of people continue to drive under the influence on a daily basis.

To combat this epidemic of drunk driving, many states have instated harsher penalties for people who are convicted of a DUI. They could lose their license for several months and have to pay a fee to get it back. Some repeat offenders are required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle that keeps them from driving while they’re intoxicated. They might also be subjected to fines and jail time.

Still, sobriety and breathalyzer tests aren’t foolproof. While some people are correctly identified as driving while intoxicated, others are falsely accused due to mistakes made by law enforcement. If you’re one of those people, an attorney could help you fight the charges in court.

How do you defend yourself against a DUI charge?

A single DUI charge is bad enough, but the case becomes more complicated if you have prior offenses on your record. You could also be charged with resisting arrest or refusing to take a sobriety test. An attorney could help you defend yourself against these charges through a variety of methods, including challenging the initial traffic stop itself.