Avoiding a DWI in the New Year

As an adult over the age of 21, it’s natural to want to go out with friends and family and enjoy a drink or two. There’s nothing wrong with having a good time. But you have to be careful when the evening ends. You cannot drive when you are intoxicated, even if you think you’re merely buzzed. You put yourself and others in danger, and you run the risk of being pulled over and arrested for driving while impaired (DWI). As you head into 2019, you should prepare for having fun while also avoiding a DWI.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for DWI in Charlotte, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys for help. To schedule a free consultation of your case, contact us today at (980) 237-4579.

Ways to Avoid a DWI This Year

There’s no need to limit your social life in order to avoid a DWI. The trick is to plan ahead. Here are some tips for avoiding a drunk driving charge in 2019:

How much do you plan to drink?
The best way to avoid a DWI is to consider when you will be drinking more than a single serving of wine, beer, or liquor. Any more than this, and you run the risk of blowing at or above .08 percent if you are pulled over. You also run the risk of exhibiting other clues of impairment, even when your blood alcohol level is below the legal limit. You should realistically consider how much you will drink, and plan accordingly.

Will you have plenty of time between your last drink and when you need to drive?
If you think ahead and your plans are likely to involve several drinks, consider how long the event lasts. You may be able to have two or three drinks and then stick to water for several hours. However, be honest about the timing. After a few drinks, you will need several hours before you can safely drive.

If you drink more than one serving of alcohol per hour (that is, 12 ounces of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor), the effects of the drink compound themselves. It then takes your liver a longer time to remove all of the alcohol from your system. Also, the rate at which your body metabolizes alcohol will differ based on your age, weight, medications, and liver condition.

If you have three drinks at an event, faster than one per hour, you will need more than three hours before the alcohol is out of your body. In most cases, you will not have enough time between your last drink and when you need to drive for your body to be free of alcohol. In this situation, you should make plans for a ride home.

Choose not to drive.
After a night of drinking, you can choose to take a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare vehicle, or you can use public transportation to get to and from your event. Not driving is one of the best ways of avoiding a DWI.

Retain a designated driver.
If you and your friends are planning to drink, choose someone as a designated driver. If you routinely hang out with the same people, rotate the position. It may seem like you or a friend has to miss out on part of the fun, but this ensures everyone gets home safe.

Book a hotel.
If you and your friends or family are planning a big event, consider booking a hotel room. Having somewhere you can easily get to without driving at the end of the night guarantees that you can imbibe without fear of a DWI at the end of the night. If a hotel is not in the budget, talk with friends and family members about whether they could host people.

Call someone for a ride.
If you have been out drinking and realize it is not safe to drive, call a friend or family member for a ride. You may worry about inconveniencing someone, but it’s likely that that person would rather be slightly annoyed than to have you drink and drive.

Were You or a Loved One Arrested for a DWI?

If you or a relative were arrested for a DWI in Charlotte, the best thing to do is to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys. By hiring an attorney, you can learn about your different options moving forward – which may include a reduction or dismissal of your charges. If the prosecutor is intent on pursuing your case, we will mount a strong defense.

To schedule a free, initial case consultation, contact us today at (980) 237-4579.