Another holiday season is right around the corner. Chances are, at some point, you will be hosting or attending a party. You might also be traveling throughout New Jersey to visit relatives and friends. It’s a joyful time of year but can be stressful, too, especially if you wind up getting pulled over and arrested for DUI.
Many police officers are already at work setting up DUI checkpoints for the holidays. If you travel main thoroughfares often, you can expect an officer to stop you at one. This is why it is always best to simply abstain from alcohol altogether if you’re going to be driving. Consuming an alcoholic beverage and then getting behind the wheel isn’t necessarily illegal, however. Remembering several tips can help you keep the ”jolly” in your holidays and not spend them in a jail cell.
Stay hydrated with water and eat food to avoid DUI
It’s a bad idea to drink several alcoholic beverages without consuming any food or water. Drinking water and eating food has a direct impact on alcohol absorption in the body. It is always better to have more food and water than alcohol, especially if you are out alone or know that you will be driving at some point.
Catch a ride to all of your holiday gatherings
There are definitely benefits to driving your own vehicle to a holiday gathering. For instance, if you get tired or feel uncomfortable, you are in control of your departure time. If someone else drives you to a party, you rely on them to decide when it is time to leave. However, if you plan on drinking alcohol, it is better to have a designated driver who is sober than to take a chance that your blood alcohol content level (BAC) might reach a point where it is no longer legal to drive.
Install a breath test phone app
Advanced technology has made it much easier to avoid DUI, if you plan on consuming alcohol during the holidays. There are smartphone apps that you can install to check your blood alcohol content level before driving. Always remember that New Jersey law states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle if your BAC is .08 or higher.
It is also wise to remember that your cognitive function may be impaired, even before your BAC has reached the limit where it is no longer legal for you to drive.
What to do if you are taken into police custody for suspected DUI
If New Jersey police arrest you for DUI, it can certainly bring your holiday fun to a screeching halt. In such circumstances, it is best to try to remain calm. Know your rights and how to protect them. Most defendants find it helpful to obtain legal guidance before the processing of their case in a criminal court.