Preparing for New Year’s Eve and Avoiding DUI Charges

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest times for DUI charges throughout the year, according to official sources. While Thanksgiving holds the record for having the most DUI fatalities of any day of the year, New Year’s Eve is second, followed by other holidays such as Christmas, Fourth of July and St. Patrick’s Day as well as Cinco de Mayo in recent years.

The fact is that DUI charges are completely avoidable if drivers take proper precautions. As a DUI defense attorney in Phoenix, Alex Lane helps many people who are facing these charges find a way to handle them successfully. From one of Phoenix’s most experienced DUI attorney, here are some tips to avoid DUI charges this New Year’s Eve and throughout the coming year.

• If you must drive, don’t drink. The simplest way to avoid a DUI charge is to avoid drinking and driving. If you know you are going to be driving avoid all alcohol. If you are going to drink, have a designated driver.
• Be aware that blood alcohol levels vary with driver age, size, weight and physical makeup. It is almost impossible to predict exactly what number of drinks will push someone to a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. There are so many factors that affect blood alcohol that it is very difficult to predict this number even for the same person in different circumstances. For example, if you eat a large meal, your body may absorb alcohol at a slower rate than if you drink on an empty stomach. Therefore, be aware that you may become intoxicated more quickly at some times than others.
• Understand that “impaired” means affected. Arizona does not draw the line at DUI charges solely based on blood alcohol content. Therefore, if you are tired or ill, your driving may become erratic even with a small amount of alcohol. If you are involved in an accident or if you break traffic laws, you may incur a DUI charge even if your BAC does not reach .08 percent under the “impaired to the slightest degree” rule.
• Remain silent. The right to remain silent exists for your benefit. As a general rule, the less you say to police any time you are arrested, the better.

Securing a criminal defense attorney is the best decision you can make if you are charged with DUI. Contact Alex Lane in Phoenix immediately if you are arrested or charged with any crime.

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