Beres, who will be out with other law enforcement members as part of the blitz, said almost half of all South Carolina highway fatalities, or 40 percent, are alcohol-related. "We all have a hand in this," he said. "We have the TV and radio spots running and Highway Patrol is doing their part. … But the motoring public has just as much responsibility when they’re out there." Officials say aside from criminal charges, a DUI arrest can carry a huge financial burden. For a first-time offender, the cost of insurance typically doubles after a DUI conviction. For the average S.C. driver, that can mean a total increase of about $3,000. Legal fees are another cost. For a first-time offender, court fees can run anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 while attorney fees in South Carolina typically cost about $3,500. Add in other costs such as bail bondsmen fees, vehicle towing, license reinstatement and substance abuse programs offenders are required to take, and the price can swell to more than $10,000.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/31/2888012/campaign-takes-aim-at-drunken.html