DUI Lawyer, Rick Mueller, Offers Tips to Avoid A DUI This Fourth of July
SAN DIEGO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourth of July festivities include some of the most fun and memorable times with family and friends! It is a time to celebrate and appreciate the freedom of our nation. However, these freedoms can be easily abused and quickly turn festivities into fatalities. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's five-year study, the Independence Day holiday ranks highest in average daily crash deaths with 47% of deaths being alcohol-related. Ultimately, the best decision for avoiding a DUI is to refrain from drinking even one sip of alcohol. But in the event that you have consumed these substances, San Diego DUI Lawyer, Rick Mueller, offers a few tips to avoid getting a DUI on the Fourth of July.
- Track your intake
Make sure you are being conscious of how much alcohol content you are consuming. Eat a full meal before drinking, and simultaneously drink water with your alcohol to lessen your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels. According to IIHS, impairment is not determined by the type of drink but rather by the amount of alcohol drunk over time. A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which contain the same amount of alcohol as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Remember, there are various factors that affect your BAC and time is the best remedy to help you reach a sober state. - Designate a driver
Before you celebrate, be sure to designate a driver by downloading applications such as Uber or Lyft to guarantee transportation safety. As reported by NHTSA, everyday in America another 27 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. Don't contribute to this statistic this July 4th and request a reasonably priced ride to pick you and your friends up. The small expense to get home safely will be miniscule compared to the price you will have to pay for getting a DUI. - Buy a breathalyzer (or two)
Breathalyzers serve as handy gadgets to help detect your BAC levels. If you believe you are capable of driving after drinking, this device will estimate your blood alcohol concentration by indirectly measuring the amount of alcohol in one breath. Your BAC level needs to be < 0.08g/dL, so be extra cautious because buzzed driving is still drunk driving. - Invest in ignition interlocks
This breath-test device is the breathalyzer connected to your vehicle's ignition. As explained by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the vehicle will not turn on unless the driver blows into the interlock and has a BAC below the pre-set low limit of .02. Utilizing this device will prohibit you from drinking and driving until you have reached an appropriate, legal BAC level.
July 4th should be a day of joyful thoughts, not jail time. Unfortunately, there are moments when we do not use our best judgment and find ourselves in difficult situations. In the United States, driving drunk is a crime if the driver's BAC is at or above .08. There are particular laws and penalties that vary considerably depending on the state. If you are stopped for a DUI, Rick offers tips on his website on how to best handle the situation. For legal consultation, contact San Diego DUI lawyer Rick Mueller at (619) 218-2997 or visit http://www.sandiegoduilawyer.com/ and don't let a DUI ruin your Fourth of July!
ABOUT:
Rick Mueller has successfully defended drunk driving cases since 1983 and is certified by the California DUI Lawyers Association as one of only three San Diego DUI Specialists. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and is also a licensed attorney in Illinois. Winner of the California DUI Lawyers Association's President's Award as their Specialist, Rick exclusively handles DUI and DMV cases. He is a Specialist member of the California DUI Lawyers Association, a member of the National College for DUI Defense and was a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Known as the DMV Guru, Rick informs and educates individuals on what to do when faced with a DUI, as well as lectures other San Diego DUI Lawyers on what to do.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2016.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Q&A: Alcohol: General." Arlington, VA: National Highway Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, March 2012.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in the Medical Setting." DOT HS 809 467. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July 2002.
SOURCE San Diego DUI Law Center
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