Avoiding a Christmas DUI Ticket in Erie County, PA

Posted by & filed under dui defense.

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!

Many people include alcohol in their Christmas celebrations. Ninety-six percent of the respondents to one survey said they knew someone who went to work hung over or they went to work hungover during the holidays. One-half of the survey respondents said that alcohol plays a role in their family holiday gatherings. Therefore, it is important to review how you can reduce the risk of being charged with DUI in Erie County. Most people are aware of the number one way to avoid a drunk driving ticket — don’t drink and drive. However, it can be easy to shrug off the dangers of drunk driving and the consequences of a DUI ticket when we are celebrating the holidays with family, co-workers, and friends.

So, in the interest of helping everyone avoid a DUI ticket during the holidays, let’s review the ways we can enjoy holiday celebrations without a DUI ticket.

Ways to Avoid a DUI Ticket in Erie, PA

  • Do not drive after consuming alcohol. You may not realize how close to the legal limit you are when you have been drinking for several hours.
  • Always have a designated driver. DDs should be treated to a night out with no expenses, but also no alcohol.
  • If you do not have a designated driver, call a taxicab or use another form of public transportation to get home.
  • Call a friend or family member for a ride.
  • If the holiday gathering is at a hotel, you should consider reserving a room for the night.

Save yourself the anxiety of dealing with a drunk driving ticket and keep yourself and everyone else on the road safer by avoiding drinking and driving during the holidays.

What Should You Do If You Are Stopped After You Have Been Drinking?

Law enforcement agencies in Erie and throughout Pennsylvania will be aggressively pursuing drunk drivers during the holidays. If you see blue lights in your rearview mirror after drinking, you should:

  • Find a safe place to pull over.
  • Go ahead and pull out your driver’s license, registration, and insurance information, so you are not fumbling for these items. It may be a good idea to have these items together in case you are pulled over during the holidays.
  • Put your hands on the steering wheel and do not make any sudden movements.
  • Be polite and answer the officer’s questions about your identity. Remember, you do not have to answer questions about where you have been or what you have been doing, but you should always remain polite.
  • If the officer requests that you exit the vehicle, you should follow his instructions. You have the choice whether or not to refuse field sobriety tests, but make sure you understand the consequences of refusing a test. I have more information about field sobriety tests here and here.
  • Call my office as soon as possible. Always exercise your right to remain silent (politely) and your right to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.

Contact an Erie DUI Attorney for Holiday Drunk Driving Tickets

Call The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free consultation with an Erie DUI attorney. Consequences of a DUI in Erie can be severe. Don’t accept a plea deal without talking to a Pennsylvania DUI attorney.