You are heading out to a barbecue for Labor Day, and you can’t wait to spend the afternoon with the people you care about. You know that alcohol is going to be a big part of the festivities, and you’re all right with that. You like to drink, so what could be better than enjoying yourself with a few drinks surrounded by people you love?
Nothing dampens the spirit of a great holiday like a DUI, and that’s something that you will need to be careful to avoid on a holiday like Labor Day. Fortunately, there are a few tips that you can follow to help you avoid a DUI and any trouble with the law due to intoxication.
1. Plan out your day ahead of time
The first tip is to make sure you plan your day out ahead of time. Don’t wait until you start drinking to think about how you’re going to get home. Your goal should be to make arrangements to get home safely before you ever touch a drop of alcohol. Doing this will certainly help you get home without risking a DUI.
2. Know when to cut back
Another tip is to know when to stop drinking. If you do have to drive home, it’s advisable to stop drinking several hours beforehand. If you carry a portable Breathalyzer, this will also give you the opportunity to watch your blood alcohol content and make sure it decreases below .08% before you drive a vehicle. Preferably, you’ll wait to drive until your BAC reaches zero.
3. Avoid alcohol completely
Even though alcohol is available at Labor Day events that you’re going to, there is no obligation for you to drink or to drink heavily. You might opt to have a single beer or a wine cooler in the afternoon, but if there are other drink options, then the best choice may be to avoid drinking completely. Remaining sober is the only guaranteed way to avoid a DUI from alcohol ingestion.
These are three tips to help you avoid a DUI on this coming Labor Day. Remember, this is a wonderful time to spend with your family and friends, and you don’t want to hurt your happy memories by adding a DUI to the mix. If you do get stopped, however, you should reach out to your attorney and discuss the best ways to defend yourself against the charges.