As the weather gets colder and the seasons change, gatherings of friends and family members become all the more frequent. These times with our loved ones can be a good chance to engage in our favorite holiday traditions, some of which may include drinking alcohol. While these gatherings may be completely innocent, driving under the influence of alcohol can lead to tragic events. Unfortunately, hundreds of Americans are killed and injured each year in drunk driving accidents.
In order to protect your family and the motorists with whom you share the road, there are several important steps you can take to make sure you can avoid getting a DUI this holiday season.
Don’t Drink and Drive
While it may seem obvious, the best way to avoid a DUI this holiday season is to refrain from driving after you’ve been drinking. Driving under the influence is not only dangerous, but it’s also illegal in the state of Illinois. When you drive drunk, you become a hazard to those around you, as your vision may be blurred, your depth-perception may be affected, and your judgment may be impaired. The combination of all these conditions can be extremely dangerous, both to those in your vehicle and to surrounding vehicles.
Secure a Designated Driver
If you know you’ll be drinking, it’s wise to secure a designated driver. This is a person who is committed to remaining sober so that they’ll be able to drive you and/or your party home after you’ve been drinking. It’s important to decide on a designated driver beforehand so that there’s no risk of allowing someone to drive drunk.
If you have trouble designating a member of your group to drive everyone home, it’s wise to take a look at the local taxi and ridesharing services you have at your disposal. Companies like Uber and Lyft, as well as local taxi companies, are a safe option when you’re looking for a ride home.
Know Your Limits
Alcohol can affect different individuals in a wide variety of ways. Factors like age, weight, height, and genetic predisposition can all play a role in determining how your body will react to alcohol. In the state of Illinois, it’s not legal to drive a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol content is .08 percent or greater (or with any amount of alcohol or drug in your system if impaired).
It’s important that you take these factors into consideration should you plan to drink. Depending on the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol, you may not become drunk at the same rate as those around you. Regardless of the number of drinks you have, if you’re pulled over for suspected drunk driving and are revealed to have a BAC level of 0.08 percent or higher, you’ll likely be charged with a DUI. You may also be charged with a DUI under some circumstances if you blow lower than .08 or refuse to blow at all.
DUI Statistics
According to a recent DUI report from Jesse White (Illinois’s Secretary of State), 35 percent of drivers given a breathalyzer test had a BAC between 0.10-0.14 percent, 35 percent of drivers had a BAC between 0.15-0.19 percent, 16 percent of drivers had a BAC between 0.20-0.24 percent, 7 percent of drivers had a bac between 0.08 and 0.09, and 7 percent of drivers’ BACs were greater than .25 percent in the year 2019.
The same report claims that 74 percent of those arrested for DUIs in the state of Illinois are men and that 52 percent of DUI offenders are under the age of 35 years.
Similarly, the report states that in 2019, for every 1,000 licensed driver arrests, 5.960 were individuals aged 21-24 for DUI charges.
Need Help? Call Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC Today
Understanding the implications of a DUI charge can be difficult to accept. If you or someone you love has been charged with a DUI, you soon realize how much is at stake. If the person charged is a CDL truck driver, they may lose their ability to drive a truck even if they’re not convicted. Others can easily lose their jobs as well depending on what type of employment they’re engaged in. Fortunately, the DUI defense attorneys at Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC are prepared to help you as you seek justice in your DUI case.
We’ve been representing clients just like you for over 30 years. If you’re ready to take the next step in your DUI case, give us a call today at (312) 644-0444. We’ll put you in contact with one of our experienced lawyers so that you can discuss your circumstances and determine the best course of action. Don’t delay as some time limitations can affect the course of your case and keep you from pursuing the justice you deserve. Call Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC today.