New Year’s Eve is a popular party day for many in Maryland and other states. People enjoy getting together with friends to ring in the new year, and these celebrations often include alcohol. While some drivers may feel that they are not intoxicated before getting behind the wheel after a party, it’s not always easy to tell when one has had too much to drink. The best course of action after drinking at a party is to find another way home to avoid being in an accident or getting charged with DUI.
Avoid DUI charges
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving happens more frequently during the winter holidays. The NHTSA runs a campaign from Dec. 14 through Jan. 1 to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. The campaign claims that if one feels different after drinking, that can impact one’s driving abilities.
Those who attend parties can benefit from planning to use a ride-share service or a designated driver to get home safely at the end of the night. Law enforcement offices will likely have more patrols out during this time of year to watch for intoxicated drivers. A DUI conviction can greatly impact one’s life so it’s best to do everything possible to avoid such repercussions.
What to do when charged
When facing a DUI charge in Maryland, it’s important to understand that being arrested does not automatically mean that a conviction will follow. One has several options when faced with a DUI charge. In some cases, defending oneself against the charges is the right choice while in other cases, pleading to a lesser charge may be an option. Those charged with DUI can work with a criminal defense attorney to understand how best to react to the charges in court.