Spring has arrived in Ohio, and with the warmer temperatures and budding trees comes a feeling of celebration. Ohioans are ready to relax and have some fun, and there’s no better time to let your hair down than during a Spring Break vacation.
Although Spring Break is a great time to drink and party, it’s also a time of year when police will be ramping up their efforts to keep drunk drivers off the roads. Getting pulled over and charged with a DUI can dampen the spirits of any celebration, as well as leave you with a heap of court fines, a suspended drivers license, and possibly even jail time.
If you are charged with a DUI, you will be asked to submit to a test that determines if your blood alcohol content (BAC) puts you over the legal limit. These tests can be used for your breath, urine, or blood. In Ohio, the legal limit is .08 BAC. If you test over .17 BAC, it means you’ve tested over what is called the “high test limit,” and you could incur additional penalties on top of your DUI charge. A DUI can affect other aspects of your life, such as your car insurance rates, your ability to get a job, or even your chances of renting a great apartment.
It is possible, however, to avoid the charge and subsequent disastrous effects of a DUI altogether. Enjoy your Spring Break while still protecting yourself from getting pulled over and arrested under suspicion of drinking and driving.
How to Avoid a DUI this Spring Break
If you’re planning some Spring Break festivities, these tips might help you avoid a DUI charge:
- Go out with a sober friend who is willing to be the designated driver, or ask a friend who doesn’t drink if he or she would be willing to come pick you up.
- Take a public form of transportation, like a taxi, Uber, or a bus.
- Bring the party to your house. That way you can drink in the safety of your own home – and maybe collect the keys of your drinking buddies so they can stay safe, too.
- Spend the night. If you attend a house party, sleep there and head home in the morning.
- Go to a bar within walking distance of your house.
- Limit yourself to one or two drinks, then switch to water afterward. If you limit your alcohol intake and drink plenty of water, you may be able to flush the alcohol from your system more quickly.
- Eat a meal before drinking, and stick to just a few drinks. Studies show that alcohol affects you much faster if you drink on an empty stomach. If you become imbibed right away, you might have a hard time making safe decisions for yourself.
Our Columbus DUI Lawyers Can Help
A DUI is a serious charge, and a conviction can have an incredibly negative impact on your life. That’s why it’s crucial that you know your legal rights and be aware of all your options. A Columbus, Ohio DUI attorney can you give you all the information you need, and can help you build a case that presents you with the justest outcome. Call the lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836 or contact us via email at advice@columbuscriminalattorney.com.
If you are in need of legal assistance, call the Columbus criminal defense attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates today.
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