The holiday season consists of festive gatherings with loved ones, travel such as road trips, and other ways to be jolly and merry until the end of the year. However, celebrations often involve alcohol consumption, which can lead to drunk driving accidents and DUI arrests.
Starting from Thanksgiving’s Even (Black Wednesday) until New Year’s Day, police departments in West Virginia and all the other states will increase the number of officers patrolling the roads during long holiday weekends, as well as increase the number of DUI checkpoints to deter drunk driving and keep the streets safe. So, if you plan on drinking alcohol at a festive event, there are many ways you can avoid a DUI arrest.
The following are several ways to avoid a West Virginia DUI during the holiday:
- Remain sober – You can’t get arrested for a DUI if you haven’t been drinking in the first place. Furthermore, you can be a designated driver for anyone who needs a safe ride home when the event ends.
- Find a designated driver – If you know someone who doesn’t drink or is trustworthy enough not to give in to peer pressure to drink at a holiday gathering, ask him/her to be your designated driver for the evening.
- Catch a ride with Uber or Lyft – Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have become a popular mode of transportation in recent years. All you need to do is download the app, enter your credit/debit card information, request a ride, and the next available driver will pick you up within a few minutes. Keep in mind, surge pricing typically applies during busy holiday weekends, so riding with another person would be a cheaper option.
- Spend the night at a friend’s place or in a hotel room – if the event is far away from your home, instead of driving all the way back, try to find a place to spend a night. While the more frugal option is staying over at a friend’s home, you can also book a room in a hotel or motel if you don’t know anyone who lives nearby the event.
- Host the party – Rather than drive to a party, why not throw one at your place and not worry about leaving your home. Ensure there is plenty of space for your guests to spend the night or make driving arrangements prior to throwing the event.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in West Virginia, The Wagner Law Firm is the only firm in the state that exclusively handles drunk driving arrests. Do not hesitate to contact us today at (304) 461-6000 for a free consultation.