A Holiday DUI Casts a Dark Cloud Over the Festivities
Christmas and New Year’s are usually dedicated to enjoying your time with family and friends. Exchanging gifts, indulging in great food, and reminiscing about the year can bring a smile to anyone’s face. This is not the time of year you want to get a holiday DUI. There are a few more parties and festivities to attend this time of year. As a result, the U.S. sees the average number of fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers rise to 34 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, according to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The institute also reports that 40 percent of car fatalities during this time of year are attributed to drunk driving.
Nevada law enforcement increases patrolling this time of year to deter people from drinking and driving. The safest way to avoid a Holiday DUI is DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE. If you have had anything to drink, the best solution to enjoying your evening is to stay where you are and leave your car keys with a friend or family member. Taking measures like these can ensure you won’t receive a DUI this holiday season. If you do plan on drinking, please drink responsibly. Here are a few tips that can help you get home safely.
4 Tips for Avoiding a Holiday DUI
1. Eat Lots of Christmas Goodies
If you are going to have an alcoholic drink at a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party, then be sure to eat something when you do. Shrimp, beef, and chicken are good, but be sure to enjoy some of the crackers, rolls, and cookies. Try to soak as much of the alcohol with grains to slow the body’s absorption of the alcohol.
2. Establish a Designated Driver
When you want to drink more than a few drinks in an evening, and then go somewhere else, the best course of action is establishing a designated driver. This person should be willing to enjoy the festivities without consuming any alcohol. The designated driver should be established before everyone leaves for the party, so there are no misunderstandings.
Call a Cab, an UBER, or Stay with a Friend
Sometimes a designated driver can’t always be established. In an event like this, the best way to avoid a holiday DUI is to call a cab, UBER, or stay with a friend. Whatever measure you decide on, it should not need to involve getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while you are impaired. You can get home without having to drive.
Stop Drinking or Switch to a Non-Alcoholic Drink
If circumstance dictates that you must drive home from a Christmas party after drinking, be sure to stop drinking as soon as you find out. The sooner you stop drinking, the sooner you begin to sober up. It is better to overstay your welcome drinking water or another non-alcoholic beverage than to endanger yourself or anyone else around you on the road. Note: there may not be enough time to sober up to drive legally, so this is not the best plan for avoiding a holiday DUI.
A Tip to Hosts to Help Guests Avoid a Holiday DUI
Many holiday parties have alcoholic beverages available to the guests. As a host, it’s a good idea not to have the alcohol front and center. Having alcohol this readily available can endanger your guests through possible over consumption. You don’t have to hide the alcohol, but there is no need to hand everyone a drink as soon as they walk in the door. You should never encourage an intoxicated party guest to drive home. Some people may have to rest with a glass of water before driving home. The safest thing for everyone is to make sure no one drives home after drinking, or that they have a designated driver or cab/UBER.
Jesse Kalter is Available to Assist with a Holiday DUI
Being charged with a holiday DUI can devastate the holidays. A DUI conviction could also impede your ability to drive to work after the holidays because of the loss of license. If you or, someone you know has been charged with a holiday DUI, you need the expertise of an experienced DUI lawyer. Jesse Kalter has achieved numerous not-guilty verdicts and has gotten countless other DUI charges completely dismissed or reduced. He is available to serve the people of Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fallon, Fernley, Dayton, Yerington, Douglas County, and all other Northern NV rural counties.
A Holiday DUI Attorney Available When You Need Him
Contact Jesse Kalter Law Today for a Confidential Case Evaluation and Consultation
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