Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in South Carolina. It also poses a safety risk to other drivers and pedestrians. And as a Clemson DUI lawyer will tell you, during the holiday season there is a sharp increase in the number of DUI arrests and crashes. This is for a number of reasons. During the holidays, everyone has more time on their hands. Americans also tend to consume more alcohol than usual at this time of the year. All of this contributes to a greater instance of a DUI arrest in Clemson during December and first week of January.
To counter this, law enforcement agencies are more vigilant than usual during the holiday season. You can expect to see more DUI checkpoints and stops.
Following are some tips to avoid a DUI arrest in Clemson during the holiday season.
1. Don’t Drive after Drinking
This is the easiest way to avoid a DUI citation. It is also the best way to ensure your safety on the road. If you don’t drink often, doing so during the holidays may have a stronger effect on you. Many drivers who drink lightly tend to drink more heavily during the holidays. This directly causes impaired driving which is often a result of poor judgment on their part.
2. Don’t Sleep in Your Car after Drinking
Many drivers tend to think that if they can’t drive drunk, they can sleep off the alcohol in their car. However, several states stipulate that you can be arrested for DUI even when you are not driving. The only requirement is that you are found in control of a vehicle. South Carolina law also allows a DUI arrest if you are sleeping in the driving seat while under the influence. This is why it is best to sleepover at a party where you have consumed alcohol or get home on a cab to sleep the alcohol off.
3. Hire a Sober Driver
If you are traveling alone, you can hire a cab. If you are hiring a driver for your vehicle, make sure you choose someone who is going to stay absolutely sober. A hired driver is a good way of traveling around on your own car after consuming alcohol without the risk of a DUI.
4. Consume Alcohol Smartly
Consuming too much alcohol all at once causes a sharp spike in your blood’s alcohol content. This causes a greater degree of intoxication. If you consume a decent amount of food alongside alcohol, the intoxicating effect is more gradual. Similarly, taking gaps between drinks and spacing them helps in preventing you from getting too drunk. If you are going to have an occasional drink, this tip can help you stay under the legal limit.
5. Stay Under the Legal Limit
If you know that you have to drive and you must also partake in drinking at a party, make sure you stay under the legal limit. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in South Carolina is 0.08% or higher. However, if you have visible signs of impairments and have BAC of at least 0.05%, you can still get arrested for DUI.
6. Be Polite with the Police Officer
If you are stopped by a police officer, it is best to behave politely and comply with the officer’s requests. When asked for a breathalyzer test or field sobriety tests, it is best to promptly comply if you know you are sober. If you are under the influence, you may want to consider refusing these tests, although such refusal can also result in additional penalties.
7. Arrange Your Night Stay in Advance
Many drivers tend to get behind the wheel after drinking when they have to get somewhere. You may have to get back home from a party with no sleepover arrangements or from a social event at a distant venue. In such a situation, it is best to plan in advance. You can, for instance, book a hotel near the venue or stay with a friend who lives nearby.
How Can a DUI Lawyer Help You With a DUI Arrest in Clemson?
If you have been arrested on DUI charges, it is important to hire the services of a qualified DUI attorney. South Carolina has stiff penalties for DUI offenses. However, if you have been caught sleeping in the car while DUI or driving only a mile to your home, you don’t deserve these penalties. An attorney will plead and argue on your behalf, striving to have the penalties reduced or the charges dropped altogether.
Finding a Clemson, SC DUI Attorney
Here at The Bateman Law Firm, we have professional DUI attorneys in Clemson who can help you in the event of a DUI arrest in Clemson. Our aim is to help you face minimum charges. Our DUI attorneys in Clemson SC will also help you explore alternatives such as community service to avoid a criminal charge. Contact us today for a FREE consultation with our attorneys and discuss your case with us in person.