June 24, 2013
Drink Responsibly this Fourth of July
Fourth of July is just around the corner, which means there will be lots of celebrating across the nation. In recent years, law enforcement has cracked down on drinking and driving, and for many police officers, summer holidays have become an opportune time for catching offenders. Simply put: don’t drive drunk.
In theory, this advice is foolproof. However, things can be a little trickier once the celebrating commences. So, just how can you avoid driving drunk this upcoming holiday? Well, there are a number of available options – a few of which we’ll share with you.
The Legal Limit
The legal limit for drinking and driving is a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) level of less than .08. Although this is a well-known fact, it can be difficult to truly grasp what this number translates into on the road. BAC is influenced by a number of factors, which can make determining your legal limit all the more challenging. In spite of this, there is still no excuse to drive drunk.
BAC Calculator
Since drunk driving has become a huge issue, a number of BAC calculators have been developed – many of which are free. These tools typically consider a number of components that influence your BAC like your personal body measurements, the amount of time you’ve been drinking, what kind of alcohol you’ve consumed, etc. Although these tools aren’t 100 percent accurate, they should give you a pretty good idea of your BAC.
Safe Transportation
There are a number of ways to get a safe ride home. They’re not free, but taxis are always a reliable and safe means of transportation. And in the long run, the cost of a cab ride is much cheaper than the price you’ll pay if you’re busted driving drunk.
Many communities also provide designated driver services — another excellent outlet for safe driving. If you aren’t sure whether your community offers this resource, try checking in with your local police station or hopping online to do some research.
Fourth of July is a time of celebration, but make sure the only red, white, and blue lights you’re seeing this holiday are fireworks, not cop lights! The resources listed above are great ways to avoid drunk driving, but remember there are lots of other alternatives, too. As you enjoy the holiday, make sure to drink responsibly and have good, safe fun!
Have a legal question about a DUI or DWI? For more information, visit our blog or give us a call.