posted by madamejune on Jun 24
The Fourth of July weekend is notorious for being the deadliest holiday in the U.S. It’s two days packed with accidents and DUI arrests, the numbers surpassing those of New Year’s and Christmas when road conditions are decidedly trickier. One reason is that most states put DUI law in full force during this period, anticipating the dangerous mix of out-of-town trips and heavy partying. A second, less obvious reason is that it drives people tend to take more risks, pushing the limits without knowing where they lie.
It’s not just about avoiding the legal blood alcohol content limit, according to Nick Alcock, a DUI lawyer in Phoenix. For instance, in Arizona one can get arrested for driving with the slightest impairment, even if they’re sober. Alcock says that around the Fourth of July, police patrolling the metro area will pull drivers over for minor violations and look them over thoroughly, watching out for tell-tale signs of impaired driving. This is all part of Arizona’s zero-tolerance law when it comes to DUI. Alcock offers these five tips for keeping your Fourth of July weekend arrest-free.
Check your car for problems. Broken tail-lights and a dent on the trunk may not hamper your driving, but it can catch the eye of the police. Even an innocent-looking bump can lead to a full-blown DUI investigation. Fix any minor problems, including registration issues and expired tags.
Avoid busy areas. Alcock warns local drivers to stay away from downtown Phoenix, especially at night and during public events. The same is true for other big and busy cities, where locals and tourists tend to crowd at the height of summer. Not only are there more people and bars; there are also more police on the lookout for suspicious-looking drivers.
Moderate your speed. This means not driving too fast, but not driving too slowly either. Both get in the way of traffic and are equally strong tip-offs for DUI. Drive naturally, the way you would to get to work, instead of actively trying to avoid police attention.
If you’re on medication, watch out for interactions. Some medications can react with alcohol and affect alcohol test results. Alcock says he’s had clients slapped with DUI cases although they’d only had a couple of drinks, because the prescription drugs they were taking didn’t go too well with the alcohol.
Ask to speak to a lawyer. Most people think the police call all the shots in a DUI investigation, but they can usually ask to be represented before agreeing to take any tests. A DUI attorney can better explain your rights and help you keep the damage to a minimum.








