I never understood how in America, a DUI seems to be (from films etc) a relatively minor issue. In the UK you get a prison sentence, even if you didn't cause any harm (eg we're spot-tested).
For the average American with no criminal record it’s relatively serious. It depends on the state but you’ll usually spend the night or weekend in jail until you can make bail. It can have career repercussions and America’s lenient approach to road accidents goes out the window so if anyone gets hurt except you, there will be a felony charge up to manslaughter.
DUI simply isn't enforced. If it were, the number of arrests would be stratospheric, and people's lives would be completely upended by being unable to drive.
I mean, from films etc, us Yanks would think everyone in the UK is piss arse drunk 24/7, sounds like a chimney sweep waiting for Mary Poppins, sends their kids to magic schools, and all live in castles wearing period clothing, all while their gov't watches everything they do from CCTV.
However, most of us understand that films etc are made up stories told for entertainment where if we based our expectations of people solely on that information we'd be grossly mistaken.
There are plenty of people that have their lives severely tilted if not turned upside down from a single DUI. There are also people of means that get off with a much less interruption to their day. I'm guessing it is the same on your side of the pond as well.
