Posted by duijim in on December 23, 2016
With the holiday season approaching, there is an increased number of drivers on Georgia roads. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were 1,432 roadway deaths last year and Georgia law enforcement is taking substantial steps to reduce the number of fatalities this year.
In addition to attending holiday parties or obtaining last minute gifts, there are many reasons for motorists to be on the road this season. Motor vehicle drivers, particularly those who have been drinking, must take extra caution and follow certain safety steps while driving to avoid DUI-related accidents.
Steps to Avoid a DUI This Holiday Season
There are some important safety precautions that motor vehicle drivers in the state of Georgia should follow this holiday season to avoid being charged with driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. These steps include the following key pieces of advice:
- Avoid Drinking and Driving. The best and easiest way to avoid being charged with driving under the influence this holiday season is to simply avoid drinking if you plan on driving. A designated driver is often particularly helpful in such situations.
- Be Prepared for Driving in Difficult Weather. If an individual has consumed even the smallest amount of alcohol and is driving in wet or icy weather, it is wise to allow extra time to reach a destination and to drive with great caution. If you believe that you are too impaired by alcohol or are uncomfortable driving in bad weather, it is a wise idea to wait until the effects of alcohol have dissolved.
- Behave Yourself. If you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer, it is a wise idea to be polite and cooperative as you comply with requests about producing a driver’s license and registration in addition to performing field sobriety tests. The refusal to comply with any of these tests frequently results in individuals being faced with even more significant penalties.
- Double Check That You are Under the Legal Limit Prior to Driving a Motor Vehicle. The state of Georgia has a legal blood alcohol content limit under which individuals are permitted to drive. One way to minimize an individual’s blood alcohol content limit is to eat food while drinking alcohol, which will help a body digest alcohol.
- Drive Safely. Motor vehicle drivers who are operating a vehicle after a night of drinking must pay particular attention to all traffic laws. Individuals should not attempt to drive in a hurry or operate a vehicle while distracted because this behavior will simply increase the risk of a serious accident occurring.
- Obtain an App for Determining Impairment. There are several DUI cell phone applications that can be used to determine exactly how impaired an individual is. The “Drive Sober” application is actually offered free by the state of Georgia to help estimate an individual’s blood alcohol level.
Contact a Talented Atlanta DUI Attorney
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident this holiday including a driver who was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, the assistance of a skilled DUI attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC has significant experience helping other individuals who have been injured in similar ways.