As Thanksgiving gets closer and closer by the day, families throughout the country are preparing to eat well, drink plenty, and be as merry as possible. The holiday season is a time for festivities, but it is also a time when people can sometimes become a little too inebriated while trying to drive home, and for some, it may even be an unfortunate time where they experience an accident or have an encounter with an officer.
In the state of Texas, driving while under the influence of alcohol or another substance is no small matter, and in most situations, it can be costly in more ways than one if you encounter a police officer. According to recent statistics, one in eight drivers who spent time drinking alcohol has admitted to driving during a time when there were near or in excess of the legal blood alcohol concentration limits in the past year.
Although drinking and having a good time is practically expected for many people during the holiday season, the fun is sure to come to an end if an officer decides to make a stop for any reason. Public intoxication and driving while under the influence are not small matters, and the consequences can be severe.
At Davis Ermis & Roberts, our team has put together some pieces of advice that we hope will help our existing and potential clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area avoid running into a situation where they have to speak with a police officer while drunk. Even minor preparations can go a long way towards keeping you, and everyone around you safe while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with being able to drink comfortably without fearing the risks associated with it.
Get Familiar with the Legal Limit
In Texas, the legal limit for alcohol consumption while driving is 0.08 percent or higher. If an officer determines that your blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is higher then your arrest is a highly likely outcome of the encounter. To avoid this kind of scenario, the best choice is to water regularly while limiting any alcohol consumption to a small amount at most if you are planning on driving.
It’s also important to note that while the general legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 for the average person in Texas who is 21 years or older, the rules are even stricter for commercial drivers. If you happen to be in a commercial driving position, a BAC as low as 0.04 could be grounds for an arrest.
The challenge though is determining your BAC accurately without the right tools. Anything from the strength of the drinks you consume to body weight and even gender can all have an influence on how your body will react to drinking.
Driving Carefully can Save Lives
One of the last things anyone wants while trying to get home from a party or other event is to be part of an accident while on the road. When it comes to drinking and driving, this is especially true. Instead of treating the process of driving as a casual task that is easily ignored, try driving with additional caution and reduced speeds.
Although it might not seem like a worthwhile way to spend time while trying to get home, eliminating distractions such as the car radio or even a cell phone to avoid losing focus on the road can go a long way towards having a safe driving experience. Reckless driving and unusual behavior are one of the most common reasons for officers to pull someone over, and avoiding distractions while focusing on driving safely and cautiously can go a long way towards preventing a ticket.
Trust an Experienced Law Firm When You Need Help
If you or someone you care about has recently been charged with a DUI or DWI, then one of the first and most important steps to take is to retain the services of a law firm that can guide you through the legal process in the most effective way possible.
Driving under the influence can be a fairly severe crime in the state of Texas depending on the specific circumstances of your arrest, and trying to take of the situation alone cannot only be confusing but also harmful to your desired outcome.
Instead of going through a long list of various law firms to try and decide which one would be the best choice for you, be sure to contact the team here at Davis, Ermis, & Roberts right away so we can help you address a DUI or DWI charge.