Long holiday weekends – such as Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, and even Thanksgiving – consists of road trips, gatherings with loved ones, and other fun events. Additionally, alcohol consumption is often a part of these festivities.
However, the increase in drinking generally results in a significant rise in DUI arrests and serious/fatal drunk driving accidents. In order to ensure the roads are always safe, police departments throughout Pennsylvania will have more officers patrol the streets and set up DUI checkpoints to prevent accidents and arrest suspected drunk drivers.
If you plan on drinking during a holiday weekend, be aware of the possibility of getting a DUI if you decide to drive. Failure to take the necessary precautions can result in you having to spend the entire weekend in a jail cell.
The following are five steps you can take to avoid a DUI on a holiday weekend:
- Don’t drink – You can’t get a DUI if there is no alcohol in your body whatsoever. Furthermore, you can be a designated driver (DD) for anyone who cannot safely drive home.
- Get a DD – If a friend is going to be sober at the event, ask him/her to pick you up and drive you back home.
- Use Uber/Lyft – A popular mode of transportation in recent years is taking a ridesharing service such as Uber and Lyft. All you need to do is download the app, request a ride, then wait a few minutes for a driver to pick you up and take you home. Remember, late nights on a holiday weekend may result in surge pricing.
- Spend the night somewhere – If you are attending an event that is far from your home, you can either ask a friend who lives nearby to spend the night at his/her place or book a hotel or motel room. The cost of a DUI is more expensive than the cost of a hotel room for the evening or weekend.
- Be the host – If you want to avoid leaving your home entirely, why not throw the event at your place. Your responsibility as a host includes making sure there is ample space for guests to sleep over and prior ride arrangements are made.
If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges in Scranton, contact the Law Offices of William D. Thompson today at 570-846-2819 and request a free case review. Available 24/7!