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 Rhode Island, 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 designed to provide individuals convicted of DUI/DWI offenses with firsthand accounts of the consequences of impaired driving. The goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the impact that such actions can have on victims and their families, thereby discouraging future offenses. While the state statutes do not specifically mandate attendance at a Victim Impact Panel for all DUI/DWI offenders, judges may include it as a condition of probation or sentencing. The panels are facilitated by organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and can be attended in person or online, depending on availability and court requirements. Participation in a Victim Impact Panel is intended to be a non-judgmental experience, focusing on personal stories of loss and recovery, rather than assigning blame to the attendees.