A Maryland DUI Lawyer Offers Tips on Holiday Parties and Drunk Driving
The holiday season is a time for celebration and merriment for many, with countless parties happening throughout the winter month. From friendly meetups to work events, these festivities are often accompanied by copious amounts of alcohol. Celebrating is great, but drinking and driving can lead to serious legal consequences.
You still have the opportunity to get out and have a good time without putting yourself at risk. By taking careful steps, you could avoid driving drunk and facing the possibility of legal trouble or even a deadly accident.
Avoid Drinking Entirely
It might sound obvious, but the best way to stay out of trouble after a holiday party is to avoid consuming any alcohol while you are there. While this might not be the answer you are looking for, staying sober completely eliminates the risk of an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you choose to stay sober, you also have the opportunity to serve as the designated driver. While you can give your friends a ride this time around, someone else could give you a ride next time.
Pick a Reliable Designated Driver
Having a designated driver is the classic option for enjoying an evening out without getting behind the wheel when the party is over. Finding someone you can rely on is crucial, as a designated driver who fails to stay sober is not much use. There are also situations where finding someone willing to drive you is not possible. If you can get a ride from someone you trust, you should take that option.
Rely on a Rideshare
If you don’t mind spending a little money, you can get a ride to and from the party from a taxi or with a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. These options are convenient, and they don’t require you even to have a car to get to the party. Of course, there are some downsides to this approach outside of the financial cost. In addition to having to pay for two trips, you might find yourself waiting for a ride if the drivers are overwhelmed.
Rideshare drivers have their own lives, and there might not be many available on the night of your event. That, coupled with numerous other parties going on, could leave you waiting for quite a while.
Use Public Transportation
Depending on where you live and where the event is located, public transportation might be an option. If you have easy access to a bus, train, or subway, you may be able to use this option to get to and from your party.
Whether or not public transportation is available is largely out of your hands. If you live in a larger city, your odds of having a bus or subway route are much greater than if your holiday party is in a smaller town.
Stay with the Host
If your party is hosted by someone you know, you might be able to take advantage of that relationship and stay with them overnight. This option depends entirely on where the party is located and the extent of your relationship with the host. However, if you are at an event at the home of someone you know well, asking for a spare room or a couch might be the perfect option.
Book a Hotel
You can also book a hotel if there is one located near where your holiday party occurs. This is a convenient option in cases where the event is located at or near a hotel. If there are nearby lodging options, you have the opportunity to enjoy yourself without worrying about driving at all.
Get Help With Your Arrest From a Maryland DUI Lawyer
All of these plans provide you with options to avoid a DUI following a holiday party. Unfortunately, mistakes can still happen. If you have been arrested and/or charged under suspicion of DUI, it is crucial that you seek out legal counsel right away.
The lawyers with Timothy A. Dachille and Associates understand how to build the strongest possible defense strategy after a drunk driving arrest. We have spent years fighting for the accused, and our experience could be invaluable to you as you fight these charges. Contact us as soon as possible for a private consultation with a Maryland DUI lawyer.