Comparing the punishment for a first offense DUI in my state (Colorado [1]) to the UK [2]:
Format will be Punishment: CO/UK
License suspended for: 9 months/12-36 months, depending on BAC
Fine: $600-$1000/£0-£5000 (apparently £300-£400 is typical due to how the UK hands out fines with their band system [3])
Jailtime: Minimum 5 days, maximum 1 year/Depends on BAC but none is pretty standard until you get to a .276 and then it's 3 months to 6 months standard
Community service: 48-96 hours/Depends on BAC, but none is standard until you get to a .207 BAC
It looks to me as though my state (which is not indicative of the United States) takes drunk driving much more seriously. This isn't even considering the fact that a DWAI can be given out to a driver that blows a .05 (the UK requires a .08) at the officer's discretion. DWAI penalties are similar to DUI penalties. Note also that it is mandatory for you to disclose any alcohol related driving offenses when you apply for a job in Colorado so it isn't like you can hide behind something being a misdemeanor vs a felony.
Whilst I don't have stats on hand, it's FAR more likely in your state for a plea bargain than in the UK, since that's the way each legal system is structured.
So, in the UK, you can pretty much guarantee you're going to be in trouble. In the US, there's a reasonable chance you'll get off.
That completely changes the risk balance judgement you make before you go and drink-drive. (obviously that's speculation, but I think it's a reasonable statement).
Format will be Punishment: CO/UK
License suspended for: 9 months/12-36 months, depending on BAC
Fine: $600-$1000/£0-£5000 (apparently £300-£400 is typical due to how the UK hands out fines with their band system [3])
Jailtime: Minimum 5 days, maximum 1 year/Depends on BAC but none is pretty standard until you get to a .276 and then it's 3 months to 6 months standard
Community service: 48-96 hours/Depends on BAC, but none is standard until you get to a .207 BAC
It looks to me as though my state (which is not indicative of the United States) takes drunk driving much more seriously. This isn't even considering the fact that a DWAI can be given out to a driver that blows a .05 (the UK requires a .08) at the officer's discretion. DWAI penalties are similar to DUI penalties. Note also that it is mandatory for you to disclose any alcohol related driving offenses when you apply for a job in Colorado so it isn't like you can hide behind something being a misdemeanor vs a felony.
[1] http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/olls/PDF/COLORADO%20D... [2] http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Magistrates_G... p.124 [3] http://www.80mg.org.uk/ddlaw.html