St. Patrick’s Day is a boozy tradition where “everybody’s Irish” and people guzzle pints of beer with their corned beef and cabbage. While the pandemic will continue to hamper plans for some, the potential for DUI arrests and accidents remains high. With curfews extending later and more bars opening, police will be out in full force, looking for even the slightest reason to pull you over.
Don’t push your luck this St. Patrick’s Day. If you plan to keep your celebratory plans, we at Sheeley Law urge you to be safe and vigilant. Below are a few friendly reminders and safety tips:
Plan Ahead – Avoiding a DUI is Not About Luck
In this day and age, and with the widespread availability of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, there’s no excuse to get behind the wheel after you’ve consumed alcohol. To avoid a DUI, your plans should include a designated driver, public transportation, a taxi, a ridesharing service, staying sober, or spending the night where you are safe. A DUI arrest and conviction has steep consequences, including charges that can easily surpass $10,000, reputation damage, the risk of lost employment, and other serious repercussions.
Be Aware and Remain Vigilant
Look out for the safety of your friends and ask that they do the same for you. Good friends never let anyone drive drunk. Don’t be afraid to take your friend’s keys away and help them find an alternate way home. Also, never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink that has been opened for you. Having a good buddy system can help ensure that you and your friends enjoy the festivities out of harm’s way.
Take a Break From The Booze to Eat and Drink Water
Drinking on an empty stomach intensifies the side effects of alcohol. A useful tip is to eat a meal with protein and fat before and during drinking. It also helps to alternate a non-alcoholic beverage, such as water, with any alcoholic drinks you consume.
Remember, “Buzzed” Driving is Drunk Driving
A common mistake people make is to set a drinking limit that they “say” they won’t exceed. This plan has a lot of flaws. First of all, people are affected in different ways by the same amount of alcohol. Your tolerance fluctuates based on the type of alcohol you are drinking, how much food you’ve eaten, and the amount of sleep you’ve had, as well as the rate at which you are drinking. It’s no surprise that consuming two drinks in 15 minutes will hit you a lot faster than consuming two drinks in an hour. You may believe you are sober enough to drive but in the eyes of the law, you are above the legal limit of .08.
Be Extra Careful Driving
If you’re the designated driver, be extra cautious on the road. Even though you haven’t been drinking, others may well have. Drive defensively and make sure everyone in your car remains buckled up. Also, remember to keep an eye out for pedestrians, who may be hard to see at night and could be walking carelessly after a day/night of partying.
In Closing…
From all of us at Sheeley Law, we want you to have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you are hosting friends at your house or going out to celebrate the day of the Irish, it’s imperative that you avoid drinking and driving at all costs. A conviction for DUI in Rhode Island or OUI in Massachusetts will dramatically affect your life and, if there is an accident resulting, it can cause life-threatening results to an innocent victim. If an incident does occur, Sheeley Law is here for you. Attorney Ann Sheeley is available 24/7 by calling 401-619-5555 or emailing asheeley@sheeleylaw.com.