Good food and good companionship during the holidays are often accompanied by good alcohol. Alcohol is part of many celebrations, but it can become the thing that makes the holiday spirit come to a screeching halt if you’re pulled over for driving while intoxicated. Don’t let a DWI ruin your holiday fun.
Remember a DWI has more negative aspects down the road than the initial going to jail. It can cause problems for you the rest of your life. Don’t let one night of drinking be a problem created that you have to address the rest of your life.
5 Ways To Avoid A DWI
With a bit of planning ahead of time, you can enjoy yourself without the need to drive while intoxicated.
- Don’t drink and drive while intoxicated. This seems so easy on the surface, but many people like to imbibe a few drinks at the company Christmas party or some spiked eggnog at Aunt Marge’s house. Ask someone to be a designated driver. You might take turns in your group of friends, or you might find someone is a non-drinker and open to the role on occasion. For a “girl’s night out” planning ahead and renting a limo is always a fun option. On a guy’s football night have the party at one place and rent the limo to take everyone home. There are always options. Just plan ahead! Have a Plan B. Call someone from your family that will come get you when you call. If that is not an option always remember another sure way is you can always call a cab. This will cost less than a bondsman and a lawyer.
- Limit your alcohol consumption and eat while drinking. Eat a good meal prior to going to any function that is serving alcohol.The fastest way to get drunk is to slam back a few shots or beers on an empty stomach. In addition, instead of drinking mindlessly, give yourself a limit — maybe two or three drinks, spaced out through the evening. Plus, eat food throughout the evening. The body does not absorb alcohol as quickly if there is food in the belly.
- Use public transportation. If you live in Amarillo, or are visiting another good sized town, plan on using public transportation instead of driving yourself. While buses don’t run late, taxi cabs do. Call a taxi and they can do the driving for you and your friends.
- Sleep over. Plan on staying where you are imbibing (or within a very short walking distance). If the party is at a hotel, book a room. If the party is at a friend’s house, ask if you can crash on the basement sofa. If all else fails, ask if you can sleep on the front porch. Just do not drive.
- Cut alcohol off early. Most holiday parties go for at least three or four hours. Plan on drinking early and, then, stop. That does not mean slam back a bunch of drinks in an hour, then stopping for the rest of the evening. It means stopping a normal drinking pattern 1.5 to 2.0 hours before you plan on leaving. You still enjoy the alcohol buzz, but it wears off before you drive home.
In Texas, a driver cannot have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above while operating a motor vehicle. If you do find yourself being pulled over for a DWI this holiday season, cooperate fully with the officers. And then call the attorneys at Stockard, Johnston, Brown, Netardus & Doyle, P.C. in Amarillo. We can help you sort out the situation.