Driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement efforts are more or less continual. Police departments train their officers on how to administer field sobriety tests and chemical tests. They may schedule additional officers for traffic patrols on days when drunk driving risk is higher than usual.
Major local events, including high school graduations and concerts, may inspire increased enforcement efforts. The holidays are also frequently a time when there are more police officers on the road looking for drunk drivers. For some people, the holidays become an annual reminder of one of their most embarrassing and costly experiences after they get arrested on their way home from a party.
Why is drunk driving enforcement often more aggressive around the holidays?
Drunk driving crash rates increase around the holidays
People may choose to drive after drinking any day of the year and any time of day. Still, there are statistical trends regarding drunk driving crashes and fatalities that influence law enforcement agencies.
Many of the most dangerous days on the road when looking at drunk driving wrecks are major federal holidays or the weekends closest to them. New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Day all tend to see significant increases in fatal drunk driving wrecks.
There are multiple reasons for that increase. Many holiday celebrations center alcohol consumption. Additionally, people feeling stressed about their families or finances may turn to alcohol for temporary relief. Any driver who is over the legal limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) could be at risk of a drunk driving charge.
Drivers don’t need to demonstrate impaired capabilities or cause harm to others to be at risk of prosecution. DUI charges can lead to driver’s license penalties, incarceration and financial consequences. The driver accused also has a criminal record that can turn up every time they must undergo a background check for the rest of their life.
When police officers feel more pressure to be assertive about impaired driving enforcement, they may make mistakes and arrest people who are not technically in violation of the law. Those arrested around the holidays for alleged DUI offenses may have multiple defense options available if they choose to fight back.
Reviewing the circumstances of a DUI arrest with a skilled legal team can help drivers evaluate their options and limit their likelihood of a conviction. The support of a criminal defense attorney can make all the difference for those accused of drunk driving during times of increased enforcement.
