How to Avoid DUI During the Holiday Season

How to Avoid DUI During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for everyone. From holiday gift shopping to end-of-year work events and family parties, more drivers are on the roads trying to get to their destinations safely.

During the holiday season, drinking at holiday events or get-togethers with friends and family is more prevalent. This means a higher potential for impaired drivers on the roads.

In 2020 alone, more than 11,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic incidents, a 14 percent increase from 2019. Law enforcement is extremely vigilant for reckless and intoxicated drivers, as these national statistics show that drunk driving accidents and deaths spike during the holiday season.

From Thanksgiving to New Years, Georgia law enforcement, along with other agencies across the country, increase their presence on the roads to prevent impaired driving tragedies from occurring.

So how do you avoid a DUI during the holiday season if you’re out and about on the roads?

Taking the necessary precautions to maintain your safety and the safety of your passengers and other drivers on the road can prevent driving-related charges and accidents from occurring. Here’s how.

DUI Prevention Tips

Plan Accordingly 

Think about your plans for the day or evening. Are you going to be driving somewhere for an event or holiday party? Is there going to be alcohol? Is there any chance that you might drink while you are there?

If there’s even a slight chance of alcohol consumption in your future, plan accordingly. Arrange for a designated driver to ensure your safety to and from the event or party. A driver that you can rely on to stay sober and take you home safely after a night of drinks will help prevent you from making the mistake of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Make Other Accommodations

While a designated driver might be ideal, it isn’t always possible to find one. If you don’t have a DD after an event where you may be drinking, consider making other accommodations that will ensure your safety.

Stay with family or book a hotel room for the night to give yourself adequate time to recover instead of getting behind the wheel after drinking.

Be a Defensive Driver 

Whether you’ve been drinking or not, that doesn’t always guarantee that anyone else on the road hasn’t been. You could be completely sober after the holiday party at work or with family, and you could be driving safely.

However, intoxicated drivers are on the road more often than you think, meaning that you always need to be on guard. Driving defensively means being aware of everything going on around you on the road while maintaining your safety as well. Intoxicated drivers may drive recklessly and put other drivers at risk. Pay attention to other drivers around you on the road. If you see someone driving recklessly, act accordingly.

Don’t Drive Impaired by Drugs or Alcohol

You may think one drink is okay, you don’t feel anything from it. Regardless of how many drinks you’ve had, do not drive. Any amount of alcohol is too much to get behind the wheel, and you run the risk of getting pulled over and charged with reckless driving or a DUI.

Drugs are also a serious risk when it comes to impaired driving. Any amount of drugs in your system can contribute to unsafe driving. Substance abuse while driving can increase your chances of a DUI. Avoid using drugs before driving at all costs.

Don’t Let Your Car Be the Reason

Think of all of the things you need to actually drive your vehicle. You need a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance. And just when you think you have everything you need to drive without an issue, your tail light goes out or your turn signal fails to operate properly.

If an officer pulls you over for a traffic or vehicle violation but also smells alcohol on your breath, you’ll be facing more than just a simple traffic violation. Keep your vehicle in check at all times, making sure everything operates as it should.

Sleep it Off, But Not in Your Car

Sleeping off a night of drinks with friends and family may be the best way to recover, but don’t do it in your car.

What happens if a police officer happens to pull up? If they see you sleeping in your car, you could still face a DUI charge. If there is circumstantial evidence such as keys in the ignition, a warm engine, or keys in your lap while alcohol is still on your breath (or you exhibit signs of intoxication), an officer won’t care about your intentions to not drive while intoxicated. You can still be charged with a DUI with the right evidence showing you may have driven under the influence.

Criminal Defense Attorney Andrew L. Schwartz

If you have been charged with a DUI in Marietta, Georgia, look no further than Criminal Defense Attorney Andrew L. Schwartz.

Dedicated to defending the rights and freedom of those accused of a serious felony or misdemeanor crimes such as a DUI, Schwartz will take the time to out-prepare the prosecution and explain the criminal law process to you every step of the way.

Contact Andrew L. Schwartz today for a no-obligation, free legal consultation.