DRINKING DURING THE HOLIDAYS: HOW TO AVOID AN OWI
Over the Holiday season, many people are sure to be indulging in copious amounts of eggnog and champagne. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that local Macomb County law enforcement will be on the lookout for drunk drivers. In order to avoid an untimely holiday arrest for operating while intoxicated (OWI), or firm has a few tips that can keep you safe and out of cuffs.
DRINKING? GET A RIDE
The best and most obvious way to avoid an OWI charge this holiday season is to not drink and drive at all. If you plan and going out and drinking, make sure you have a safe way of getting home. If you can, bring along a designated driver to take you home at the end of the night. If you do not have anyone to drive you, call a cab. Whatever fare you may pay is sure to be immeasurably better than the fines that an OWI conviction can bring. It is imperative that we all do our part this holiday season to keep the roads safe and prevent any unnecessary tragedies from occurring.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION
Anyone operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or more can be charged with OWI in the state of Michigan. For commercial drivers, this limit is cut in half to 0.04%, while there is absolutely zero tolerance for anyone under the age of 21. If you choose to drive with any level of alcohol in your system, which I strongly do not recommend, it is crucial that you make sure your BAC is under the legal limit. While not everyone has access to a breathalyzer, there are certain things you can do to keep your BAC in check.
All of the following methods can help manage your BAC:
Eat plenty of food while drinking
Drink one glass of water for every drink
Pace yourself to one drink per hour
Do not "chug" your drinks
Wait a considerable amount of time before driving
While these tips can help you manage your BAC, it must be noted that everyone has a different tolerance to alcohol and will react differently. A person's weight, gender, and rate of consumption will all influence the level of intoxication they experience. Even if you are under the legal limit, if a police officer stops you and smells alcohol on your breath, you could find yourself in the back of a squad car.
OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS
While you should obey the laws of the road whenever you get behind the wheel, this is especially true if you have been drinking. If you have waited a sufficient amount of time and have sobered up, make sure you drive defensively. Do not speed, run red lights, or make risky lane changes in order to get to your destination quicker. These actions will raise a big red flag for patrolling officers and increase your chances of being pulled over.
ARRESTED? CALL J.T. BOWDEN, ATTORNEY AT LAW
If you should be arrested for OWI this holiday season, I, J.T. Bowden, Attorney at Law can provide a hard-hitting defense for your case and make every effort to pursue a dismissal or reduction of your charges. Having served as a Macomb County criminal defense lawyer for several years, I can use my skill and invaluable knowledge to help you get through this difficult time and improve your chances of securing a positive outcome. Contact my office online or call today to schedule a free consultation!