The holidays are a time of cheer and celebration. But with all the Christmas and New Year’s parties, the incidence of drunk driving escalates during these festive months, which transforms the season from merry to scary quickly.
Drunk driving arrests increase all over the United States, including here in Florida, and it is important to not only understand the impact of drunk driving but also to know what you should do if you get into trouble.
Drunk Driving Statistics — The Brutal Facts
According to the nonprofit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving is the #1 cause of death on the roadways. Across the United States, more than 10,000 people were killed due to drunk driving in 2018, and an additional 300,000 people are injured per year. These drunk driving statistics are not only shocking, but they are also avoidable.
Holiday Drunk Driving Statistics — The Most Dangerous Time of Year
Driving under the influence is a problem all year round, but drunk driving and drunk driving arrests certainly spike around the holidays. New Year’s Day has been reported to be the most dangerous in regards to the number of deaths, but December’s holiday drunk driving statistics reflect a high incidence of preventable deaths as well. The United States Department of Transportation lists that, on average, 27 Americans die each day in the month of December due to drunk driving. These are very sobering facts.
One of the reasons for the spike in drunk driving and drunk driving arrests during the holidays is that a lot of people who do not usually drink will partake in alcohol consumption. This is a real problem because they do not know how their bodies will react to alcohol, and they have a lower tolerance than others who drink more frequently. They will think, “I’m fine,” when they are clearly not fine. Many first-time drunk driving arrests are for people like this that think they are okay to drive.
How to Prevent a Drunk Driving Arrest
Certainly, the best thing you can do to prevent a drunk driving arrest is not to drink alcohol when you know you will be driving somewhere. If you do decide to drink at a holiday party, call a cab or a driving service such as Lyft or Uber. Also, you can plan ahead of time and have a friend as the non-drinking designated driver take you home. Some people will also carry a portable Breathalyzer with them to check their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) too.
During this dangerous time of year to be on the roadways, you not only need to look out for yourself — you need to look out for others too. Keep a close eye on your friends at holiday parties and take their keys or call them a ride if you think they are drunk. Never get in a car with someone you believe is intoxicated. Also, remember that in Florida, you can’t bring open containers into a car. It is illegal whether the vehicle is moving or stationary.
The holiday season can go from merry to scary quickly, so avoiding a drunk driving situation in the first place is the best way to keep you and those around you safe and out of trouble.
The Consequences of a Drunk Driving Arrest
Drunk driving in Florida, you can expect your sentence to include at least one of the following consequences:
- Jail time
- Fines
- Suspension of your Driver’s License
- Impounded vehicle
- Community Service
- DUI School
- Ignition Interlock
If the drunk driving arrest is a first DUI offense, it could be a misdemeanor. If it is a repeated offense or if someone gets hurt, it will more than likely be regarded as a felony with much harsher penalties. A drunk driving conviction is very serious and can impact your career, family, and personal life for a long time to come.
What To Do if You Get Arrested For Drunk Driving
Due to the severe consequences of a drunk driving conviction, the first thing you should do if you get arrested for DUI is to call a criminal defense attorney immediately. It is beneficial to have someone who has experience as a Prosecutor and as a Criminal Defense Attorney. Dean Tsourakis understands the different strategies and provides expert legal counsel to people facing DUI charges.
If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, you have the right not to say anything, and it may be best that you don’t. An experienced criminal defense attorney acts as your advocate to work with the legal system to get the best outcome possible. This can apply to the amount of fines (which can be substantial) or even to possibly avoid the state-mandated driver’s license suspension associated with a DUI conviction.
Also, in regards to taking the breath test—consider this decision carefully. But even if you have taken the breath test and failed it, an experienced DUI lawyer may still be able to overcome this obstacle. Dean Tsourakis has done just that for other clients.
Call Dean Tsourakis Right Away if You’ve Been Arrested for Drunk Driving
Contact the law office of Dean Tsourakis if you’ve been arrested for drunk driving during the holiday season. He is an aggressive DUI attorney that fights for you to get the best possible outcome in your case. He understands the implications of what a DUI conviction means and will work hard for you each step of the way.
With the right lawyer, you will have the legal resources you need to make the best out of a stressful and challenging situation that can make a significant impact on your life not only for the short term but for a long time to come. The consequences can interfere greatly with your job, family, and personal life. You don’t have to go through this alone.
on Dec 17, 2019