What You Need to Know About Holiday DUIs

With celebrations in full swing, holiday DUIs are more common during this time of year. Drunk driving statistics state that 40 percent of traffic deaths over Christmas and New Years are because of impaired driving. Sadly, more people die during the holidays because of DUIs than any other reason. If you want to avoid legal trouble and putting your life in danger, there are many things you can do to prevent a DUI. For instance, you can refrain from drinking if you plan on driving or you can call a cab.

Local law enforcement is handing out holiday DUIs to those who do not follow the letter of the law. You must know what to do if an officer pulls you over for impaired driving. The team at S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. is here to assist you to that end. For more ways to avoid a DUI during the holiday and remaining safe when you do choose to drink, read on.

Ways to Avoid Holiday DUIs

The number of Christmas and New Year’s Eve accidents every year is astonishing. However, you can avoid putting yourself and others at risk of danger, as well as prevent trouble with the law. Remain safe and enjoy your holiday celebration by taking the following measures.

Hire a driver

There are many alternatives to driving yourself to and from parties this holiday season. All you need is a smartphone and a bank account. In fact, you do not even need those, as you can call a taxi to get to your location.

Otherwise, use Uber or Lyft without having to get behind the wheel at all. It can be an expensive solution; however, you will save hundreds of dollars in fines and time if you were to get arrested for a DUI. Consider it a small investment in your safety and peace of mind. Lastly, you and your friends can chip in and hire a limousine or party bus driver to transport anywhere you need to go.

Spend the night

If you are seeing close friends or family, why not arrange to spend the night? This way, you can enjoy yourself without worrying about driving until the following day. You can plan out activities, pack clothes and have a great time without the added stress.

Designated driver

One solution is to travel with one or more friends and assign a designated driver. Often, there is at least one member of the group who does not partake in alcohol consumption. This person is the holiday VIP, who can ensure your safe passage on the road while going from one spot to another.

Stay in

If you want to drink and not worry about traveling in any fashion, have people come to you. Host a holiday party of your own alleviate yourself of the travel stress.

 

Safe Holiday Drinking Tips

There is nothing wrong with having a beverage in celebration of the holidays. At the same time, having one too many can drastically affect your reaction time, judgment, vision and other faculties. That’s why motorists with any amount of alcohol in their systems while driving at risk for holiday DUIs.

If you are going to drink, consider the following:

• Time is the only factor that can lower your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
• Make sure you eat and hydrate before drinking
• Avoid mixing different types of alcohol
• Do not drink more than one or two beverages
• Cease drinking two or more hours before leaving your location

Please note, following all of the above cannot ensure your safety or immunity with the law. The safest way to drink during the holidays is to remain at home. If an officer pulls you over, you must know how to handle the situation.

What to do if you are pulled over

Rhode Island’s DUI laws are among the strictest laws in the United States. Perpetrators of the law are subject to fines, a driver license suspension, drug/alcohol classes, jail time and more. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test comes with an automatic driver license suspension, among other more severe and time-consuming punishments.

In most cases, it is wise to comply fully when an officer pulls you over. However, not all field sobriety tests, or even breathalyzer test results, are accurate. As such, your cooperation may incriminate you.

If you are pulled over, S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. suggests the following:

• Do not admit to drinking alcohol
• Politely refuse to adhere to field sobriety tests

Exercising your right to remain silent may be your best approach to avoiding a holiday DUI.

Seek Legal Advice

If you find yourself facing DUI charges in Rhode Island, call the legal team at S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. We can guide you through the process and fight for your rights. Call (401) 285-2996 for a free consultation today.

What You Need to Know About Holiday DUIs