Don’t risk drinking and driving in December or any other time.
It’s no secret that around the holidays, many people tend to drink a bit more. Going to office holiday parties, family get-togethers and events with friends may involve having a few glasses of wine, a festive beer, or perhaps some spiked egg nog. The California Highway Patrol (CHP), along with other law enforcement agencies such as the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, has partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to prevent anyone who drinks too much from getting behind the wheel of a car this holiday season. It has launched a new campaign with the slogan: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
From December 15 through January 1, local law enforcement agencies will deploy a higher number than usual of DUI checkpoints and officers to patrol high risk locations for DUIs. The goal of this campaign is not simply to make arrests, but to save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016 alone, 37,461 people were killed in traffic accidents, with 28% of those people (10,497) killed with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of over .08 percent, which is the legal limit. In California, 1,059 deaths were reported where the driver had a BAC of .08 percent or above.
During a similar campaign in 2016, CHIP made 535 DUI arrests and responded to 16 fatal collisions between December 23 and December 26. These numbers highlight just how serious the problem of drinking and driving is — particularly when it comes to the potential for deadly crashes.
As experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers, we know that it can be difficult to say no to an alcoholic beverage at a holiday party. That is why it is so important to plan ahead if you know that you will be drinking. Consider having a designated driver, or be sure to download an app for a ridesharing service on your phone. Alternatively, ask to stay over at your host’s house, or book a hotel room. While any of these options may be inconvenient or expensive, they will still be cheaper, more convenient and far safer than driving after you have been drinking.
Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers can tell you that the penalties for even a first-time California DUI offense can be severe, ranging from potential jail time to DUI probation to mandatory DUI classes, community service, fees and fines. You will also lose your driver’s license for a period of time, and will be required to pay an increased amount for car insurance for several years. It is far better to simply never drive drunk and avoid the possibility of being arrested for a DUI. As the CHP campaign says — drive sober or get pulled over.
However, if you are arrested for a DUI, you will need a top notch Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer to help you. The Chambers Law Firm can assist you from the initial arraignment through the final resolution of your case. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
