With the holiday season right around the corner, most people will be out eating, drinking and celebrating with family and friends. Unfortunately, this can also be one of the riskiest times to be out on the road. Between Christmas and New Year, the U.S. sees the average number of fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers rise 34 percent. With many law enforcement officers increasing their efforts to stop drunk drivers during the holiday season, it is important to plan ahead and take appropriate safety measure to ensure you don’t get a DUI. If you are partaking in holiday festivities, and plan on drinking, consider the following helpful tips:
Tip 1: Don’t Drink and Drive
The best way to avoid an arrest for drunk driving is to simply avoid getting behind the wheel after you drink. If you’re not sure if that last drink put you over the limit, don’t drive. The consequences for DUI can be severe and it is best to avoid taking any chances.
Tip 2: Designate a Reliable Driver
When choosing a designated driver, make sure it is someone who won’t take a sip of alcohol. It is important that this person understands the responsibility of being a designated driver.
Tip 3: Be Smart About Drinking
Whether you plan to drive or not, drinking smart will make all the difference.
- Make sure to eat plenty of food. The consumption of food delays the absorption of alcohol, which in turn causes alcohol to be absorbed over a longer period of time in a person’s body, preventing a spike in intoxication.
- Don’t rely on the “one drink an hour” motto. Everybody reacts to alcohol differently and the “rule” of drinking one drink per hour won’t work for everyone. The way alcohol is metabolized is a very complex process and varies significantly based on a driver’s gender, weight, and the amount of water and food in their system.
Tip 4: Book a Hotel or Stay with a Friend
When going to a holiday event or New Year’s Eve party, booking a room at a nearby hotel or staying with a friend is one of the best ways to avoid a DUI.
Tip 5: Call a Cab or Uber Even if You Live Close By
Being close to home does not increase your chance of making it home safely. Regardless of how far you plan to drive, if you have been drinking, call an Uber or a cab. A small cab fare is much cheaper than the cost of a DUI in Georgia.
Contact an Experienced DUI Attorney Today
If you have been arrested for a DUI, the choices you make in the next few days will have long-lasting impacts on your freedom, reputation, and career. A DUI conviction in the state of Georgia carries minimum jail sentences, mandatory counseling, and often the loss of driving privileges. In the case of any DUI, it is important to seek qualified professional legal help.
The Epps Law Group is one of the premier DUI defense law firms in north metro Atlanta and North Georgia. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation in Suwanee, Johns Creek, Cumming, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Dawsonville, Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, or Dawson County, please call our office today at
(678) 257-4507. You may also schedule a consultation online.
