Since New Year’s Eve occurs during the weekend this year, many people in Santa Barbara and the rest of the United States are going to take this opportunity to celebrate. However, a common activity associated with ringing in the brand new year is the consumption of alcohol and DUIs.
New Year’s Eve is considered one of the worst days to drive out of the year due to the high volume of alcohol-related vehicle accidents and fatalities. Whether it means patrolling around bars and clubs or setting up checkpoints in various parts of the area, law enforcement will be ready to arrest drunk drivers and prevent dangerous collisions from occurring.
If you are planning to consume alcohol this New Year’s Eve, consider the following alternatives instead of getting behind the wheel:
- Have a designated driver. Whether your party is near or far away, you can delegate a friend – who will remain sober – to be your DD.
- Use a ridesharing service. Another popular way to commute is through ridesharing services, such as Uber or Lyft. You can download the app on your phone and use it to catch a ride whenever you want to go home.
- Walk home. If you live relatively close to where you plan to spend your New Year’s Eve/Day, you could always walk home. However, watch out for drunk drivers and stay far away from the roads as possible.
- Sleep over. Prepare a duffle bag with a day’s worth of clothes and essential toiletries, so you can keep partying all night long without worrying about driving or getting home.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Santa Barbara, schedule a free criminal consultation with Appel & Morse today.