Your risk of being arrested for drunk driving does not necessarily diminish once Christmas is over. As we at the Law Office of Rob McKinney are aware, New Year’s Eve can hold more potential for drunk driving accidents and arrests than Christmas festivities. You and other Tennessee residents should take precautions to get home safely and avoid spending New Year’s Day in jail.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is one of the highest for drunk driving crashes and arrests. In fact, in 2016 alone, 781 people across the country were killed in alcohol-related accidents. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that during this time, law enforcement will be particularly on the alert for people who are exhibiting signs of intoxicated driving. Does this mean you should avoid alcohol when you are celebrating the new year with your friends? Of course not, but several choices you make can help keep you out of jail. These may include the following:
- Appointing someone in the group as a designated driver
- Deciding in advance how much to drink and holding each other accountable
- Taking a taxi or Uber home if there is no designated driver
- Having a get-together at home instead of going out into crowds and traffic
- Offering non-alcoholic beverages at a party, in addition to alcohol, so guests can make a choice
- Allowing inebriated guests to stay or sleepover until they are sober
As our page on drunk driving charges explains, you can face serious penalties for a DUI. Experienced counsel is usually necessary.