With the holidays now upon us, you may find yourself attending more parties or other social events. People tend to drink more alcohol during the holiday season, so it’s important to understand the laws that pertain to drinking and driving so you can avoid putting yourself in a risky situation.
The consequences of being arrested for driving under the influence can be serious, not only because of potential fines and jail time, but also because of how it could adversely affect your personal life and career prospects moving forward. If you still have questions about how this works, contacting a criminal defense or personal injury lawyer can be greatly beneficial. Here are some things you should know about DUI charges over Thanksgiving.
When Do DUIs Happen the Most?
During the Thanksgiving holidays, the roads are full of people traveling to see family and the police are out in force looking for drunk drivers. If you’re caught driving drunk on Thanksgiving, you’re likely to face stiffer penalties than if you were caught at any other time of year. So if you’re planning on drinking this Thanksgiving, make sure you have a designated driver. Some other tips and information include:
Consequences of a DUI
The legal consequences of a DUI can be quite serious. If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit, you may face a fine, jail time, and a conviction on your record. If you are a first-time offender, you may eventually be able to get back behind the wheel after completing a DUI education program. However, if you have been convicted of DUI before, the penalties will be much more severe.
Thanksgiving DUI Checkpoints
As the holidays approach, be aware of DUI checkpoints that will be set up by law enforcement. If you plan on getting behind the wheel, make sure you are not drunk. Drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and others on the road. Thanksgiving is a particularly dangerous time, as many people travel and celebrate with alcohol. Be a responsible driver, and don’t let yourself or your loved ones become another statistic.
Find a Designated Driver
One way to stay safe this holiday season is to have a designated driver. This person can help you avoid getting behind the wheel after celebrating. The day before Thanksgiving is usually one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year, so make sure you have a plan in place before the festivities begin.
Be Cooperative With Police Officers
If you do get pulled over, be cooperative with the officer. Be respectful and make sure to turn off your car (and don’t leave it running unattended). Keep your license and registration handy, turn on your car’s hazard lights if stopped in traffic, and don’t reach for anything, like your phone or a drink, that could be interpreted as a threat. Keep your hands where the officer can see them and don’t swear, grow angry, or confrontational.
Use a Ridesharing Service
Don’t hesitate to call a cab or Uber if you feel like you’ve had too much to drink. Uber and Lyft often have discount codes that you can use during the holidays to reduce the cost to make sure people stay safe on the roads. It’s far cheaper and more convenient to use a ridesharing service than to face DUI charges.
Contact a DUI Attorney Today at the Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford
With Thanksgiving being one of the busiest times of the year for DUIs, police are often more wary of drivers on the road. However, it’s important to know your rights and make sure you have a lawyer to help represent you so you can hopefully mitigate some of the charges potentially against you.
The key to successfully handling DUIs is to take action right away. Call the Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford at (239) 315-9750, or fill out our online contact form, for a free consultation to see if we can help you overcome those DUI charges. We’re accredited from the National Association of DUI Defense Lawyers, so we know how to represent you.
