“I’m totally OK to drive,” you slur, trying to convince your drunken friends that you are sober enough to make it home. “Just give me some gum and I’ll be fine.”

As you are driving down J Street, smelling like a mix of Big Red and Jack Daniels, you are blinded by vibrant red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. A flood of realizations consumes your intoxicated mind. You are getting pulled over and you’re wasted, your headlights weren’t even turned on, and your life is over.

Well, so to speak.

From horrendous lawyer fees to insurance premiums skyrocketing, getting a DUI can be financially devastating, particularly in the life of a starving college student.

The social repercussions of such an offense can be equally encumbering. Being without a driver’s license and getting charged with a criminal offense can knock you down a couple of rungs on the social ladder, possibly resulting in a lifestyle change.

Briefly, here is what constitutes a DUI, and what can be done to prevent one.

According to the California Highway Patrol Web site (www.chp.ca.gov/), it is a crime for anyone with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent (a little more than two drinks and depending on body weight) or higher to operate a motor vehicle. If pulled over, this constitutes an arrest for driving under the influence.

Anyone under the age of 21 found driving with a blood alcohol level of .01 percent or higher automatically loses their driving privilege for one year.

According to the California Highway Patrol guidelines, if over the age of 21, “your driver’s license will be taken away by the arresting officer at the time of your arrest. A 30-day temporary permit will be issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow for administrative review and appeal, then your license will be suspended for four months. If you refuse to take a test, your license will be suspended for one year.”

On a first conviction of driving under the influence, the fine can range from $390 to $1,000.

According to a Web site specializing in DUI’s (www.drunkdriving.ca.org), insurance companies will increase premiums after a drunk driving offense by as much as two or three times. “In most cases, this is simply price gouging as the statistical incidence of accidents caused by convicted first offenders is far below the level that would justify the increases,” the Web site stated.

Getting caught driving under the influence can be a socially, financially, and emotionally draining experience. Simple tactics can help avoid this life-changing predicament.

“If you are going out to the bars, drink like you have a headache,” said Rodney Bellow, a bartender at Stingers. “If you had a headache, you’d only take enough aspirin to take care of that. If you want to get a buzz on, drink enough to attain that, but make sure that you are still fine to drive.”

Knowing what police detect as drunk driving can help avoid a potentially problematic experience.

According to the U.S. Department of TransportationWeb site (www.dot.gov), some dead give-away signs of an intoxicated driver are:

* Turning with wide radius * Straddling center or lane marker * Almost striking object or vehicle * Weaving or drifting * Braking erratically * Swerving * Headlights off * Slow response to traffic signals * Speed slower than 10 M.P.H.

Having a designated driver is a sure-fire way to avoid confrontation with an officer. Many bars provide free non-alcoholic drinks to the designated driver.

Safe Rides is a non-profit service provided by ASI and is available for students, faculty, and staff of Sacramento State, ensuring them with a safe and sober ride home. Safe Rides operates on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, from 10 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. and can be reached at 1-800-GO 4 CSUS.