Don’t Start 2022 with a DUI | Florida New Year’s Eve DUI Lawyers Whittel & Melton

December 27, 2021

On a regular day, DUI accidents cause about 35% of traffic deaths. On New Year’s Eve, that number nearly doubles to 62%. This makes New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day very dangerous times to be on the road. Law enforcement across Florida will set up DUI checkpoints. Their goal is to stop drunk drivers and prevent deadly accidents.

The hours of midnight to 6 am on New Year’s Day have been slated as the most dangerous time to be on the road. With New Year’s Eve falling on a Friday this year and more bars open following prior year’s COVID restrictions, you can expect that more people will be out partying, thus more impaired drivers on the streets.

The legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limit to drive is .08, but reports show that more than half of all arrested on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day involve impaired drivers that have BAC over .15. To break these numbers down, at .05 BAC depth perception begins to diminish and focusing can become tricky. At .08 BAC you can expect your depth perception to be nonexistent and your reaction time extremely delayed. At .15 BAC, you may not be able to remember anything at all and cannot react to anything as your reality is significantly blurred.

Expect DUI Checkpoints New Year’s Eve

If you are heading out to a bar, restaurant, or party on New Year’s Eve, then do not get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking. You should be fully sober if you plan to drive. It does not matter if you are in the city or suburbs, you will likely pass a DUI checkpoint on your way home. If you try and avoid the checkpoint, officers often notice this behavior and will stop you anyways.

At a DUI checkpoint, officers will ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. They may also ask if you’ve had any alcohol or if you have alcohol in the car. You don’t have to answer these questions. By law, you only need to provide your basic information and paperwork.

If an officer requests a breathalyzer or a field sobriety test, you have the option to either comply or refuse. If you decide to take the test and fail, you will be arrested for DUI. However, if you refuse the test, you will still be arrested and will be required to undergo a chemical test at the jail.

If you are arrested for DUI at a checkpoint or elsewhere this New Year’s Eve/Day, then you want to contact our Florida DUI Lawyers at Whittel & Melton as soon as you are able to so that we can get started helping with your case. You want to remember as many details about your arrest as possible so that we can use this information to your advantage. Time frames, the arresting officer’s name, witnesses, etc. can all be helpful to your case.

How You Can Avoid a DUI on New Year’s Eve/Day

If you find yourself out on New Year’s Eve and without a sober ride home, Florida does have other options for getting home safe. You can use ride sharing apps, like Uber and Lyft, call a cab, or use public transportation. AAA also has their “Tow to Go” program that will be in full effect from 6pm Friday, December 24th – 6am Monday, January 3^rd. This program is available to AAA members AND non-members. You can call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 to get a sober ride to a location within a 10-mile radius.

Call Whittel & Melton at 866-608-5529 for DUI Help in Florida

If you do find yourself arrested for DUI in Florida this New Year’s Eve/Day, then please contact us online or call 866-608-5529 for a free consultation. We will be available 24/7 to help you.