The holidays are filled with joy and cheer, as well as festive gatherings with family and friends. However, the seasonal celebrations are often accompanied by excessive alcohol consumption, leading to a significant rise in DUI arrests and fatal drunk driving accidents every year.
To arrest suspected drunk drivers and keep the roads safe, police departments throughout Florida and other states have increased the number of law enforcement officials patrolling the streets and set up DUI checkpoints during holidays and weekends. If you plan on having a few alcoholic beverages whenever you celebrate, there are several proactive steps you can take to avoid spending your holiday season behind bars.
Here are some ways you can avoid a DUI during the holidays:
- Avoid drinking – You can’t get a DUI if you remain sober throughout an event before getting behind the wheel. Furthermore, you can be a designated driver and help get your loved ones home safe.
- Get a designated driver – If you plan on drinking at an event, you can have someone act as your designated driver to avoid having to drive home while intoxicated. Make sure the person responsible for driving you home won’t succumb to peer pressure and consume alcohol despite their promise.
- Request a ride from an Uber or Lyft driver – If you can’t find a designated driver, you can use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft to get you home safe. Keep in mind, if there are more riders in a specific area than available drivers, surge pricing may go into effect.
- Sleepover at a friend’s place or book a hotel room – If the event you’re attending is far away from your home, avoid driving all the way back by staying at a friend’s place that’s close by or book a room that’s within walking distance.
- Have the event at your place – To avoid leaving your home altogether, why not host a party there. Make sure you have plenty of extra space for guests to spend the night or coordinate driving arrangements.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Miami, contact Hager & Schwartz, P.A. today at (305) 330-1360.