Along with good-natured festivities and family fun, the holidays are often times paired with a noticeable increase in the number of arrests for driving under the influence (DUI). Since a larger number of people travel during the holiday season, Santa Clarita law enforcement is sure to be out in full force looking for impaired drivers. Our firm offers a short list of tips that can help avoid an untimely holiday DUI arrest.
Get a Ride Home
The only guaranteed way to avoid a DUI arrest this holiday season is to not drink and drive at all. If you are planning on going out and drinking, make sure you have a way of getting home safely. If you can, bring a designated driver who will refrain from drinking and will be responsible for getting you home. If you have nobody to drive you, call a taxi. Not only will this keep you safe, but this can help keep the roads safe for everyone this holiday season.
Stay in Control of Your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
If you absolutely must drive yourself home after drinking, which we do not condone under any circumstances, make sure you are sober enough to drive and that your BAC is under the legal limit of 0.08%. There are several ways to control your BAC, though it is important to note that everyone reacts to alcohol differently and therefore has a different tolerance. Weight, gender, and rate of consumption all have an impact on how your body handles alcohol.
You can keep your BAC down with the following methods:
- Always have food when drinking
- Drink plenty of water
- Pace yourself to one drink per hour
- Do not "chug" your drinks
- Wait plenty of time before driving
Commercially sold breathalyzers can be helpful as well, though the accuracy of these devices can be questionable and should not be used as your only method of measuring your sobriety. Even if you are under the legal limit, you may still end up in cuffs if you cause an accident and an officer smells alcohol on your breath.
Drive Carefully
If you are under the legal limit and are sober enough to drive yourself home, it is imperative that you drive safely. While driving defensively is recommended for any driver, this is especially true if you have any alcohol in your system. Speeding, cutting off other drivers, and rolling through stop signs will make you stick out to law enforcement and give them more of a reason to pull you over. Do not give them the chance!
Arrested? Contact Barnholtz & Kugler Today!
While these tips can reduce your chances of a holiday DUI arrest, there is always a chance that the unexpected will occur. If you are arrested for DUI this holiday, a Santa Clarita DUI attorney from Barnholtz & Kugler can provide a hard-hitting defense against your charges. With more than 30 years of successful criminal defense experience, our skilled legal professionals are equipped with the knowledge and passion you need to maximize your chances of securing a desirable outcome for your situation.
Our attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your case – call (661) 728-1666 today!
