June 20, 2018
Sparklers? Check. Miniature American flags? Check. Meat for the grill? Check. There might still be one more step to take before celebrating the Fourth of July: an OVWI/DUI prevention plan.
Independence Day is one of the top days of the year for alcohol consumption. Depending on the way you plan to celebrate, you may drink beer at a barbeque, shots at a party or wine while watching fireworks. However, certain holiday activities don’t mix well with intoxication. Aside from staying sober while igniting pyrotechnics, Indiana residents need to stay sober if they plan to drive home.
Because traffic safety officials report that Independence Day is the deadliest holiday of the year, you can expect the police to be in full force. Although the holiday falls on a Wednesday this year, law enforcement will undoubtedly scour the roads for drunk drivers throughout the week and weekend.
If police pull you over and charge you with drunk driving, you have the option to contest their claims in court. However, it’s better to prevent the risk and hassle of a DUI defense case whenever possible.
To avoid such charges overshadowing the fun of the holiday, Indiana drivers should make a game plan for the holiday, such as:
- Whether they plan to drink alcohol
- If so, how they will get home (with a designated driver, Uber or taxi)
- What to do if the designated driver may have consumed alcohol
- How to get their car home the next day if they end up drinking
- Who to call in an emergency, including personal support and an attorney
Ideally, no one will need to have their holiday end on a bad note at the police station. A few extra steps of planning can save the risk of losing hundreds of dollars in fines – and potentially the freedom to drive.