There are few things that can ruin a festive night out more than getting a DUI. At the law office of James Kleinbaum Attorney At Law P.C., we are prepared to defend New York residents who have been accused of drunk driving, but we would rather see people not face these kinds of charges at all. You may wonder how to enjoy celebrating the holiday season with alcohol and to make it home safely without a DUI charge.
The holiday season is a prime time for drinking and driving, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out. Therefore, law enforcement will be vigilant in the weeks leading up to Christmas and especially on New Year’s Eve. You may also encounter sobriety checkpoints on your way home from a Christmas party or a New Year’s ball. Does this mean you should not drink at all while attending festivities? Of course not – but it pays to be cautious and prepared. The following tips may help:
- Decide ahead of time how much you plan to drink and hold yourself accountable for cutting yourself off.
- Never accept a ride from another person who has been drinking.
- Bring a sober driver to take your party home, or call an Uber or taxi.
- If you are hosting a holiday party, offer non-alcoholic beverages as well, and cut off the alcohol later in the evening so your guests can sober up.
You may make every effort to avoid getting behind the wheel intoxicated or to find an alternate way home, but it is not always possible to avoid charges. For example, you may be stopped at a checkpoint and officers may believe you were intoxicated if you failed a field sobriety test because you have balance issues or were nervous. Our page on drunk driving charges explains your rights if you have been accused of driving while intoxicated.