According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the most dangerous day of the year to be on the road is New Year’s Day. For many partygoers, the celebratory midnight toast is preceded and followed by numerous cocktails, but the fun quickly ends if the first day of the year is marred by a DUI arrest or, even worse, a devastating accident. The following tips can help you and your loved ones begin the New Year on a positive note.
Party Responsibly This Holiday Season
If you’re throwing a party, you can take steps to ensure that your friends and family get home safely and aren’t a danger to anyone else on the road. As you invite people to your party, make sure that each person who will be drinking has a designated driver. As an added precaution, have the number of a taxi service handy for those who may need it, and be prepared to let a few people crash on the couch or floor if they are too impaired to drive. You can also plan games or other activities for the party so that the focus is on engaging with others rather than consuming too much alcohol. Offering plenty of food and nonalcoholic beverages can also prevent people from reaching dangerous levels of intoxication.
Planning Ahead is Essential to Prevent Drinking and Driving
Even if your party host takes all possible precautions to prevent drunk driving, you are ultimately responsible for your own choices. Therefore, you should plan ahead and monitor your alcohol intake throughout the night. This means eating food and drinking plenty of water in between drinks if you insist on driving yourself home. Otherwise, a sober friend, taxi or limousine is your best chance of getting home without incident. Also, never ride with people who have consumed alcohol, even if they insist that they are fine. In fact, you should do everything in your power to prevent those people from driving and endangering others on the road.
Consult With a Seasoned DUI Attorney
During the holiday season, police officers vigilantly monitor the roads for drunk drivers. If your year begins with a DUI, your best possible chance of keeping your driver’s license, maintaining a clean record and protecting your rights is to contact a capable DUI attorney immediately after your arrest.
