The Holiday Season & DUI Checkpoints – What You Need To Know

The holidays are a time that’s meant to be shared with family and friends. Plenty of festivities will take place for weeks on end, which means you’re more than likely to find yourself hitting the road as you roam from celebration to celebration. Although the season of giving is upon us, you don’t want to give a police officer the opportunity to give you a lifetime of troubles that can result from a DUI.

Cops are out in full force during the holidays. As people imbibe in adult beverages and enjoy the holly jolly spirit of the season, police will be on the lookout for signs of intoxication behind the wheel. Here’s what you need to know about the holiday season and DUI checkpoints:

1. Increased Enforcement Will Exist

You should expect to see an uptick in enforcement during the holiday season. The police are quite likely to increase DUI checkpoints throughout November, December, and the beginning of January, as people tend to be drinking more during this time period. This means your normal route home from grandma’s house may include an unexpected stop that you wouldn’t normally have to deal with. You should never assume you won’t have to worry about DUI checkpoints because you take a certain path. Cops not only utilize high-traffic routes when it comes to DUI enforcement; they also look for alternative routes people are likely to use in order to avoid the main traffic artery when they’ve been drinking.

2. Checkpoints are Traps

The sole purpose for DUI checkpoints is to make as many arrests as possible. This means you may be suspected of wrongdoing before you even blink an eye. Be aware that checkpoints are designed to make you nervous and uneasy.

3. DUI Attorneys Know How to Navigate Checkpoint Arrests

DUI attorneys should be specifically aware of the legal requirements of a DUI checkpoint. This situation can differ from DUI arrests made in other situations.

4. Caution is Key

You should always be cautious, no matter what time of year it is. Never drink and drive, but during the holidays, you should be extra careful. DUI checkpoints lurk around many corners, and getting caught in a checkpoint after one drink too many can result in years of wishing you hadn’t had that extra toast at the holiday table.

Don’t ruin your holidays by ending up behind bars. Make the wise decision to put your keys in your pocket, and order an Uber if you’ve had even a few drinks. If you’ve already been charged with a DUI, it is imperative to seek legal counsel from a DUI attorney as soon as possible.

Contact Jon Artz today.