The holiday season is here, and that means lots of celebrations, family gatherings, office parties, and other social events, often involving alcohol. With the festive atmosphere in the air, it’s easy to become consumed and lose track of just how much you’ve been drinking, and far too many people still choose to get behind the wheel anyway and risk not only a devastating crash, but the possibility of being arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Many visitors to Las Vegas’s immense number of casinos and other attractions find themselves facing the harshness of the Nevada criminal justice system as well, which can put quite the wet blanket on your holiday plans. Want to avoid this hassle? Here are just a few things you can do as either a visiting guest or a local resident to avoid being arrested and charged with a DUI this season.
- Plan ahead: If you know you’re going to be consuming alcohol wherever it is that you’re going to be, have a plan for getting back that doesn’t involve driving yourself. Even if you don’t plan on getting drunk, things could change or you could wind up far more intoxicated than you thought possible. Take a taxi or use a rideshare program like Uber or Lyft to get where you need to go: the added cost pales in comparison to the fines and fees associated with a DUI.
- Stay in town: There are more than 65,000 hotel rooms on the Las Vegas strip alone, and more than 150,000 if you include the other hotels located throughout the city. Odds are, there’s a room available somewhere, even on the busiest weekends of the year. If you find yourself intoxicated, find a place to stay for the night. As with a taxi, the cost will be far lower than even a minor DUI will carry.
- Get a Designated Driver: Going somewhere with a group of people? Have one person volunteer to avoid alcohol and serve as the designated driver for the evening. Designated drivers can get everyone to and from where they need to go safely and legally.
Law Enforcement are Watching
When it comes to drunk drivers, the stretch between Christmas and New Years’ Day is one of the most dangerous times of the year. Police and highway patrol officers know this, and as a result they dramatically increase their efforts to spot intoxicated drivers and get them off the roads before they can cause a potentially devastating accident. Follow these tips and you’ll have a safer and more enjoyable holiday season!
If you are arrested and charged with a DUI in Las Vegas or the surrounding area, reach out to a Las Vegas DUI attorney at The Draskovich Law Group, Chtdtoday! Dial (702) 381-6590 to request a case evaluation.