Start the New Year without a DUI

 Posted on December 12, 2016 in Driving Under the Influence

Connecticut is notorious for being one of the harshest states with their punishments of DUI. On holidays, the police do not take a break and lend a blind eye to questionable behavior. In many cases, it seems like circumstances point to the contrary. If they are in a bad mood for having to work while you are celebrating, there is an increased likelihood that they will spot potential driving errors. This year proved exceptionally difficult, leaving many excitedly anticipating a new start and a chance for a better year. If you are part of the population going out for New Year’s celebrations, take precautions to ensure you make it home safely instead of sitting behind bars.

Statistics

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, adults drive intoxicated an average of 80 times before their first DUI arrest. Additionally, the likelihood of being involved in a drunk driving accident increases on weekends after dark. During particular occasions throughout the year, such as holidays and summer, arrests skyrocket. In Connecticut, DUI is among one of the most common arrests made. Other statistics include:

• Across the United States, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day witness the most arrests made for DUI throughout the year,
• The number of roadblocks and checkpoints are highest on New Year’s Eve,
• New Year’s Day has more drunk driving accidents than New Year’s Eve, possibly due to those driving with a hangover,
• A standard alcoholic beverage is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz hard liquor, and
• It takes the average body one hour to metabolize one alcoholic beverage.

Stay Safe

Although it is illegal to drive while impaired, it is within your legal rights to partake in alcoholic beverages, so long as you are of age. Therefore, if you decide to ring in the new year with a drink or two, be sure to take proper precautions to avoid a potentially life-altering legal battle. A few methods used to make it home safely after drinking are:

• Bring a designated driver,
• Hand over the keys to someone responsible, keeping yourself from driving,
• Call a taxi,
• Use other public transit,
• Hire a private vehicle service, or
• Stay the night.

If you have been caught up in a DUI mess, remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. No matter the odds stacked against you, there are options worth exploring. Many times, police fail to adhere to strict standards during checkpoints or traffic stops. If you are interested in discussing your future with a Stamford, CT DUI defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner today by calling 203-348-5846 to schedule your complimentary initial consultation.

Sources:

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812231.pdf

https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-29

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6430a2.htm

https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_248.htm#sec_14-227a