Impact of holidays on DUI

The festive season is here; with it, more people are hosting and attending parties with alcohol. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are all associated with increased levels of drinking, leading to a comparable rise in DUI arrests. Police are more vigilant during this time of year, and your chances of getting stopped at a checkpoint are higher, especially if you’ve consumed alcohol.

Attorney Steven Kellis discusses what you should know about holiday drinking and driving, how to avoid an arrest, and when you may need the help of a skilled Pennsylvania DUI lawyer.

Holiday drinking and driving statistics

Not only are more people drinking and driving during the holiday season, more police are on the lookout for DUI offenders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 14,000 traffic fatalities occurred in the most recent reporting year. Most of those are concentrated between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

In its annual Christmas holiday crash report, Pennsylvania State Police stated that they made 198 DUI arrests over three days from December 23-25. Drinking and driving any time of year puts you and everyone else on the road at risk. It can also land you heavy fines and time behind bars if you are arrested.

What holiday has the most DUI arrests?

While a DUI arrest can ruin any day, it’s especially problematic when you are charged with drinking and driving during the holidays. If you’re in jail, you may lose your license, end up paying fines instead of buying presents, and have difficulty spending time with family and friends. To head off these troubles, knowing what holiday has the most DUIs is essential.

The highest DUI holiday is New Year’s Eve. Popping too many bottles of champagne before you drive home puts you at risk of getting stopped for a DUI. Police are out in force to stop drunk drivers, mainly after midnight.

After NYE, the holidays with the most DUIs are the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. St. Patrick’s Day also has a heavy association between alcohol consumption and DUI arrests. Your first charge can cost $300 or more in fines, and every subsequent arrest increases both the fines and the time you could spend in jail.

Holiday driving safety tips

When avoiding a DUI arrest, the first option is to avoid drinking. This can make it less enjoyable for some during the holidays, so it’s critical to plan to balance the celebration with safety. At Kellis Law Firm, we advise you to consider the following recommendations:

Leave the car at home and use a rideshare service.
Establish a designated driver.
For big nights like New Year’s Eve, get a hotel room near the event so you don’t have to drive home.
Drink water between cocktails or beer to reduce your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the night’s end.
Throw a party in your neighborhood so guests can walk home.
Include rideshare services in your party budget for those who live farther away.

No matter how much you drink, don’t take chances by getting in your vehicle. In Pennsylvania, our winter weather makes it even more likely you could cause an accident, causing tragedy during the holidays. Police will be watching for any behaviors that could indicate intoxication and will be ready to stop you.

With multiple DUI arrests, you will pay higher costs, lose your license for longer periods, and be subject to longer jail sentences if you are convicted. Proactively avoiding a DUI arrest during the holidays is the smartest choice.

What to do if you’ve been arrested for DUI during the holidays

A DUI arrest can bring a sudden halt to the holiday fun. Instead of settling in for a long winter’s nap, you’re getting fingerprinted, charged, and handing over fines. In addition, a DUI conviction can cause serious problems in the rest of your life, such as getting into college or finding a job. Don’t face a DUI arrest without help from a skilled Pennsylvania DUI lawyer.

With over 25 years of experience helping people like you, Kellis Law Firm is ready to advise you on fighting DUI charges and protecting your rights. Instead of hoping for the best, contact us to schedule a free consultation with attorney Steven Kellis. Use our online form or call us at (215) 977-4183 today.