A DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panel is a small group of 2-4 persons who speak briefly about a vehicle crash caused by an impaired or intoxicated driver in which they were injured or in which a friend or family member was injured or killed. Persons who have been charged with DUI/DWI criminal offenses are often required to attend a Victim Impact Panel to better understand and remember the devastating consequences of driving while impaired or intoxicated.

Victims who speak at Victim Impact Panels do not blame or judge the people listening and only seek to share their own tragic stories in a way that may help others understand the lasting effects of impaired driving—while giving the speakers the opportunity to heal and find some small amount of meaning in their tragedies.

Victim Impact Panels are available both live and online and are sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

In Illinois, DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panels are part of the educational and rehabilitative measures used in the legal system to address the issue of driving under the influence. These panels are typically composed of individuals who have been directly affected by drunk or impaired driving incidents, sharing their experiences with DUI/DWI offenders as a form of awareness and prevention. The goal is to humanize the consequences of impaired driving, rather than to assign blame. Attendance at a Victim Impact Panel may be mandated by the court as a condition of sentencing for those convicted of DUI/DWI offenses. The panels serve as a reminder of the real-world impact that driving under the influence can have on victims and their families. In Illinois, these panels are often facilitated by organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and they can be conducted in person or through online sessions to accommodate various needs.