Summer accounts for 28% of driving fatalities in Illinois and the US, making it the deadliest season. The Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and other summer holidays are considered the deadliest for DUI-related car accidents.
If you are charged, you can face hefty fines and jail time. The charge can also compromise your job prospects, harming your home life. Defense Illinois DUI lawyers can help you avoid such situations or reduce the charges.
How to Avoid A DUI During Summer?
Whether you are partying with friends or celebrating a national holiday, if alcohol is flowing freely, your chances of getting a DUI will increase exponentially. You can avoid punishing charges by following the following tips:
Have a Designated Driver
Before heading out to the festivities, ensure you have a designated driver. This individual should stay sober for the whole day so they can take you back home safely. Make sure this is a person you can trust not to drink.
Call an Uber or use Public Transportation
If you cannot get a designated driver, use rideshare options such as Lyft or Uber. You can also consider public transportation such as trains or buses. If you are caught drunk behind the wheel, and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, you will be charged with a DUI. Better yet, hand your keys to someone else and tell them not to return them to you unless you are sober.
Obey Traffic Rules
If you have no choice but to drive home yourself and those drinks start to kick in, pull off the road safely and as quickly as possible. If you are not inebriated and have had a couple of drinks, obey traffic rules, so you are not pulled over.
This includes ensuring you remain within the speed limit and don’t look at your phone even if it starts ringing. Your hands should also be on the steering wheel at all times. You will be charged with a DUI if you are pulled over, and the officer smells alcohol on your breath.
Eat Something Before You Get Behind the Wheel
If you are drunk, ensure you eat something before you get behind the wheel. The food will slow down the effects of the alcohol on your senses. If your stomach is empty when you drink, your body will absorb the alcohol you consumed much faster. So make sure you eat some pretzels before getting in your vehicle or spread out your drinks, so your BAC doesn’t reach 0.08.
Contact Illinois DUI Lawyers If You Face Charges
DUI arrests can lead to severe punishments, from license revocation to extensive fines and jail time. The charge cannot be removed from your permanent record, which will impact your future. If you are charged with a DUI in Illinois, contact our Warrenville DUI defense attorney specializing in such cases. They can help you understand your options and find an appropriate way to fight back and preserve your future interests.
At Covert Marrero Covert LLP, we understand that most people who get arrested for drunk driving are unaware of how to proceed with a DUI defense. We have defended people charged with this offense for years and can help you understand your options. The last thing you need on your permanent record is a criminal charge that will follow you for the rest of your life. Contact us for a consultation today.
