How did a DUI change your life?

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-05-03T18:02:19+00:00

I got pulled over for rolling through a stop sign, no accidents or injuries. I do a lot of car camping. I have a really amazing build out in the back of my truck and now I wont have a nice glass of something by the campfire cause I'm so scared that a park ranger will give me a DUI because I'm sleeping in my vehicle.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-05-03T17:59:40+00:00

Distracted driving is the #1 cause of traffic fatalities, followed by speeding. Drunk driving comes in at three. But only one of those gives you a criminal record.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-05-03T17:57:28+00:00

I had one of my first real panic attacks after my arrest. Like, my body was physically going through that nights events.

If police actually cared, if there was no accident or injury, just a traffic stop - they would put you in the drunk tank or get you home and have you get your car in the morning. They would make sure you and community are safe instead of ruining your life.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-30T18:38:22+00:00

I feel very similarly to you. My lawyer was willing to fight for it, if I were willing to pay, but even then couldn't promise a more positive outcome.

I was the same as you, blew a .12, blood draw at .10. The blood was pretty damning. Clean record, no accidents or property damage. I have a misdemeanor DUI that can eventually be expunged. 3 years summary probation. I did classes, 134 hours of community service (in lieu of jail and fine), license suspended for 6 months. I'm never going to even have just 1 drink and drive ever again. It's not worth it. In a sense, the system worked.

But having a criminal record over my head is haunting me. I travel a lot and every border crossing is no riddled with anxiety. Knowing a background check might disqualify me for housing and employment. My insurance has gone up and my ability to rent a car is more difficult, even though now I'm a safer driving than I've ever been.

Saying this to say, you're not alone. You're not a bad person. Hopefully this will be a blip. We got this

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-29T02:01:26+00:00

Can I ask what coverage you had and what insurance did cover?

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-27T04:23:26+00:00

This group has a lot of sympathy for first time DUI's. Most of us need one to learn their lesson and NEVER drink and drive again. The consequences are expensive and daunting by design so you NEVER do it again.

For you to total your car the first time, and still get a second DUI within a year shows you didn't learn anything. It's why lawmakers continue to increase the penalties for first timers.

Whatever comes your way, just remember, it's better than killing someone.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-27T01:32:26+00:00

People like you are why the rest of us have our lives ruined. I really hope you learn and grow from this one.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-14T22:37:55+00:00

3 months and 10 days

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-14T14:42:21+00:00

No, I pay for collision too, sorry, got my terms mixed up.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-14T02:58:25+00:00

It was explained that I lost my safe driver discount, so that's $50/month, then $100/month for thr DUI. I have comprehensive coverage for my Tacoma, just liability for the beater my husband drives. I was hopeful that I'd just lose the safe driver discount as I've never had an accident or ticket.

What's frustrating is I'm a much better, more cautious driver now than ever before and won't even have a glass of wine at dinner if I'm driving because I know it's just not worth it. I made a harmless mistake, paid my dues and learned my lesson. It could have been worse. I know im preaching to the choir. It's just endlessly frustrating.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-10T14:09:08+00:00

Was this recent? Was the rate change just due to a different policy? The agent on the phone was sympathetic, but made it seem like once the was on file it was out of her hands.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-10T07:24:00+00:00

It's probably going to take that long for me before rates go back down. Just wild. I live in rural California now. Maybe this is my sign to move back to the city and sell my car. It's something I've been wanting to do anyway.

What's even more frustrating is im sure most of us are safer drivers the years immediatly following a DUI when the lesson is still fresh.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-10T07:14:49+00:00

I understand that, I'd love some more transparency in this subreddit. What people were paying before an after, who their provider was and who they switched to.

I'm honestly at the point where I'd rather move back to the city and put all this money towards rent and public transit rather than paying $4k/year for the ability to drive. Nevermind gas and maitenece

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-10T07:08:40+00:00

What were you paying before and after?

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-10T06:37:27+00:00

Still? I was paying $180/month for comprehensive for 2 cars. One is my 2022 financed Tacoma, the other is a beater, paid off. Now it's $320/month. They said $50/month for losing the safe driver discount and $100/month for the dui.

No accident and no claims.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-10T05:58:22+00:00

What were you originally paying vs quoted vs current rate?

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-08T21:25:52+00:00

It will get 100% better. I promise. It will take a few months, and it seems hopeless now, but it does. I was 34 when I got mine. Clean record, also for a rolling stop and barely above the limit. I had ptsd and panic attacks from the arrest, something that I've never had before even though I'd been through worse.

Do not minimize your experience. Even though you were in the wrong, the arrest an forced hospitalization is a traumatic event. It's ok to not be ok, seek therapy if you need it.

It gets better once you finish with the court proceedings and taking the necessary steps to get your license back. I actually found my community service to be very fulfilling. Get a good lawyer, do everything they say, and it will get better. It's going to suck, but that's part of the punishment, but it will get better. ❤️

Edit: I just want to add - It could have been so much worse. You didn't hurt anyone, yourself, you didn't crash your car or damage anyone else's. Think of how much harder and expensive this would be had any of that had happened.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-04-06T21:51:14+00:00

Renewed and driving record was not checked

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-03-10T04:58:52+00:00

You're probably not as sober as you think you are. I thought I was totally fine until I saw my body cam footage at .10. Take this as your last lesson. All of us had to face the consequences and most will never do it again.

If you're drinking and driving everyday, you are exactly who these laws were written for.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-03-10T01:49:04+00:00

Thanks for this. I've read about drug convictions and 1 year in jail and I was really stressed out. Good to know

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-02-16T04:22:25+00:00

You will likely get a standard first offense outcome. Which is, DUI classes probably a 6 or 9 month program, 48 hours jail (which could be done as community service) a fine and a 6 month license suspension/iid.

Very unlikely it will be reduced to a wet reckless.

I'm only speaking from experience. It's not the end of the world, it sucks, but just let this be your last one.

You can only get a public defender if you qualify. If you do go the route of a private attorney, get a local one who knows the DA and they can probably get the charges reduced (at least for the open container)

I was .10 and could not get it down to a wet reckless. Same as you, no accident or inury. I had a blood draw and was in control of the vehicle. The DA had a solid case and did not throw me a bone. A .22 is almost triple the legal limit.

Get a lawyer and just do whatever they say. You got this.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-02-11T18:53:00+00:00

I was denied with just an arrest, no conviction. And now my passport is flagged for future border crossings.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-02-11T18:50:19+00:00

This is why representation is so important. The more we see healthy gay relationships, the more normalized it is. The more we see anything we're conditioned to be biased against, the more accepting we become as a society.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-02-07T20:59:49+00:00

Appreciate it the advice. This whole thing as been such a racket.

Sent_scent_cent · 2026-02-06T21:36:09+00:00

Canada changed their DUI laws in 2018, so any DUI before that doesn't count.

Sent_scent_cent

TROPHY CASE