Are You Hosting a Holiday Party and Serving Alcohol?

Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

The holidays are a wonderful time of year for parties and get-togethers. However, the number of DUI accidents and DUI charges increase over the holidays. According to Scram Systems, fifty-one (51) percent of drunk drivers admit to drinking more during the holidays. In addition, sixteen (16) percent of adults say they drink too much during the holiday season, and fifty (50) percent admit that alcohol plays a significant role in family holiday gatherings.

If you are hosting a holiday party this year, it is important that you take steps to try to prevent your guests from drinking and driving. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming too much alcohol places everyone in danger and puts your guests at risk for a costly DUI conviction.

Ways You Can Help Guests Avoid a DUI Charge

You cannot prevent someone from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle if that person is determined to do so after drinking. However, there are ways you can help reduce the risk of a drunk driving charge for your holiday party guests.

  • Make sure that you have an ample supply of water and non-alcoholic beverages for guests to enjoy. By making the non-alcoholic beverages appealing (e. serving holiday-themed beverages), guests might gravitate toward those drinks during the evening.
  • Avoid drinks that “mask” the amount of alcohol the person is consuming such as rum punch, spiked eggnog, and other fruity drinks. Many people lose track of how much alcohol they are consuming when a drink does not taste anything like alcohol.
  • Arrange for safe rides, either sober friends or public transportation, for party guests who have had too much to drink. By having rides scheduled in advance, people are more likely to take advantage of the sober ride because they do not need to wait around for their ride.
  • Make arrangements for guests who have had too much to drink to stay overnight. It is much safer to sleep on a friend’s couch than to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
  • You should have plenty of food available throughout the evening. Try to make the focus of your party on food and entertainment instead of standing around drinking all evening.
  • Stop serving alcohol a couple of hours before the end of your party. Switch to non-alcoholic beverages. A good idea is to serve coffee, flavored coffee beverages, non-alcoholic eggnog, and hot chocolate with dessert to transition from alcoholic beverages.
  • If you are hosting a large party, consider hiring a bartender. Bartenders are trained to spot guests who have had one too many and they can alert you to the issue so that you can take steps to assist your guest in avoiding a drunk driving incident.
  • Even if you hire a bartender, you need to remain sober and keep a close eye on your guests. You are the host; therefore, you have a responsibility to ensure your guests have a good but safe time at your party.
  • As an incentive, you might want to consider special door prizes for designated drivers. Anyone who volunteers to be a designated driver receives a special “thank you” for helping others get home safely.

Hire an Erie DUI Defense Attorney Immediately!

If you are arrested for drunk driving during the holidays, do not attempt to handle the matter on your own. The penalties for a DUI in Pennsylvania can be severe, even for a first-time offender. It is in your best interest to consult with an Erie DUI attorney before you discuss your case with the police or a prosecutor.

Remember, you are NOT guilty until the prosecution convinces a judge or jury that you are guilty. Let us help you protect your legal right to a fair and impartial trial.

You can contact The Travis Law Firm by calling (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with an Erie drunk driving attorney. We aggressively fight for the rights of individuals who are charged with DUI in Pennsylvania.