Law enforcement personnel are on high alert for inebriated drivers during all the major holidays, and Christmas and New Year’s are at the top of that list. If New York police charge you with DWI over the holiday period, your first call should be to a criminal attorney.
Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law is a DWI lawyer in White Plains who will investigate your case and develop a comprehensive defense against your charges. Call 914-772-8614 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about DWI defense strategies by visiting http://dui-lawyers.usattorneys.com/.
Let’s take a look at five tips to help you avoid DWI charges over the holidays:
- Plan Your Route around Sobriety Checkpoints
In the state of New York, police are allowed to conduct sobriety checkpoints on a weekly basis, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. These checkpoints are troublesome even for sober drivers because they allow officers to pull over vehicles without probable cause to believe that a motorist is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Luckily, police are required to announce where these stops will be, and you can find a list of DWI checkpoints across the state on DUIBlock.com.
- Assign a Designated Driver before the Festivities Begin
If you and your friends are attending multiple holiday parties this year, volunteer to be the designated driver for the first one, and then rotate that duty throughout the rest of the group. This will ensure you always have a safe ride home and that no one will drive after drinking.
- Talk to Your Doctor about Any Medications You Take
Alcohol and a few other substances can interact with certain medications to make you feel inebriated after just one drink. Talk to your doctor about any medications that you currently take, and make sure you understand how they will interact with other substances that you consume. For example, according to New Scientist, even something as innocuous as grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications, making their effects on the body far more powerful than normal.
- Budget for Ride-Sharing Apps
If you don’t live near any of your friends and rotating the responsibility of designated driver isn’t an option, consider budgeting for ride-sharing apps this holiday season. Apps like Lyft and Uber tend to be cheaper and more accessible than local taxi services, so your wallet won’t take too much of a hit. If you get a DWI, on the other hand, your finances will definitely feel it.
- Get a Breathalyzer for Your Car
You can get a small, affordable breathalyzer from a company like BACtrack to ensure you never drive over the legal BAC limit. Some breathalyzers can communicate with your smartphone to track what you drink and where.
If you are facing DWI charges, a criminal attorney may be able to help. Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law will devise a defense strategy based on the unique facts of your case. To discuss your situation with a White Plains DWI lawyer, call 914-772-8614.