Drunk Driving Prevention

Social gatherings are a part of life. Without it we might all go a little crazy! We work hard and need the chance to unwind every now and then. This may mean consuming alcohol at a work-related party or having a night of fun with friends. And it’s so easy to stay responsible. All you need is a designated driver!

Millions of Americans volunteer for this noble position every year. They are respected at social gatherings for there ability to stay responsible by not drinking and helping everyone get home safely. They have saved thousands of lives – maybe even yours.

Preventing a DUI before it happens can help you in so many ways by:

• Avoiding embarrassment
• Keeping your driver’s license
• Avoiding fines
• Staying out of jail
• Preventing senseless injury and death

The penalties for a DUI charge can be severe. Wouldn’t it be great to avoid the whole conflict altogether by having a designated driver?

And being a designated driver can be easy. Here’s some simple ways to plan ahead:

• Be aware if you are going to socialize with alcoholic beverages
• Decide ahead of time if you or someone else will be the designated driver
• Take turns being the designated driver
• If there’s a large group, make sure there are enough designated drivers to get everyone home safely

If you fear that someone you know may consider driving drunk, don’t let them! You don’t have to be harsh; in fact you can make a joke of it. Just take their keys and tell them you’re doing them a favor and that they owe you with a smile!

Making a difference is easier than you think. Preventing a DUI before it happens is the smart thing to do!

Did you know that in the United States alone approximately 30 drivers are killed in alcohol-related auto accidents each day? In addition to the anguish and loss caused by these fatalities, impaired drivers cost taxpayers an estimated $51 billion dollars every year. With such staggering statistics, it’s easy to see why drunk driving prevention remains one of the top priorities for lawmakers—and in their efforts to deter motorists from driving under the influence (DUI), a number of stringent guidelines have been passed to limit the amount of alcohol drivers can have in their system.

While federal law prohibits anyone from operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher—a calculation measuring the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream—each state has its own laws specifying when a driver can be arrested for drunk driving, as well as the penalties for a DUI conviction. According to a recent committee established to prevent DUI, the best way to eliminate drunk driving is through consistent sentencing guidelines. Based on their recommendations, state legislators now focus on three things: detecting habitual offenders, enforcing mandatory DUI penalties, and requiring treatment for those who are convicted of the offense.

As a direct result of the committee’s suggestions, the penalties for driving under the influence have also grown increasingly severe over the past few years—and you can expect them to get even tougher in the future. For example, most states now give drivers who are arrested with a BAC of 0.16% or more a much harsher punishment than other offenders. The primary reason for this is due to the percentage of traffic fatalities caused by impaired drivers who are operating a vehicle with a significant amount of alcohol in their system (approximately 50%).

In addition, because most individuals who are arrested with an extremely high BAC content have a history of drunk driving, most states now impose harsher penalties for repeat offenders. First offenders are also subjected to tougher sentencing guidelines, however, in an effort to prevent future arrests. Depending on the laws in your area, this means that even a first DUI conviction may carry a license suspension, hundreds of dollars in fines, or even jail time.

If you have been charged with DUI, make sure you have skilled legal representation by your side when your day in court arrives. Unlike general practitioners, attorneys who specialize in drunk driving defense have specialized knowledge in DUI law—and they can use this knowledge to determine the appropriate strategy for your case.

From challenging the results of your breath test to proving that the officer who arrested you lacked probable cause to suspect you of DUI, an attorney can greatly improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in court and help you reduce or avoid the life-altering consequences of a drunk driving conviction. For a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area, submit your information online today.