Celebrate Responsibly: Tips for Planning a Safe Halloween Weekend
Halloween is right around the corner, and where there is Halloween for adults, there is alcohol. And where there is alcohol, there is a chance of getting a DUI. Across the country, DUI cases spike by 25 percent during the holiday season.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2015, 52 percent of total fatalities in traffic accidents on Halloween night were attributable to drunk driving, and they warn that number is rising each year. Therefore, the top DUI lawyers in Clearwater with Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan, P.A. urge you to celebrate responsibly during this time. If you do find yourself arrested for a DUI, we can help you fight for your rights and potentially lessen the charge.
To learn our top tips for planning a safe Halloween holiday this year, read on.
1. Have a Designated Driver
If you are planning to have a drink at a Halloween party, always have a designated driver with you who is not drinking during the celebration. If you suspect that your designated driver has been drinking, do not get in the vehicle with them.
Additionally, you should never carry an open container of alcohol into the vehicle with you. Even if you are not the designated driver behind the wheel, even a passenger in a motor vehicle can be cited for possessing an Open Container.
2. Pre-Order a Rideshare Service to Travel Home
After you have been drinking, it is easier to make poor decisions, like deciding to drive when you’ve had a few drinks. Even if you believe you are not over the legal BAC limit of 0.08, you are at a greater risk of getting into an accident or driving recklessly, which could lead to a traffic citation, or worse.
Instead, pre-order an Uber or Lyft and schedule it to arrive after your festivities are over. Knowing your ride home is on its way will help you to circumvent the need or desire to get behind the wheel at all.
3. Call an Attorney at Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan, P.A. If Pulled Over
If you are pulled over or arrested for driving under the influence on Halloween, contacting an attorney at Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan, P.A. is of utmost importance. As the top DUI attorneys in Clearwater, we are able to assess the circumstances of your arrest and swiftly plan a strategic approach to limit the impact of any charge. In some cases, we may be able to present mitigating circumstances to the prosecutor that might result in the charge being reduced from a DUI to reckless driving.
Our team has successfully represented thousands of DUI cases in Pinellas County, meaning we know the ins and outs of the 6th Judicial Circuit, and are familiar with many of the judges and prosecutors. We are former State Prosecutors who are also certified intoxilyzer operators, and are able to determine if the police who administered the breathalyzer test did so appropriately. If you have found yourself in an unfortunate situation on Halloween night, we provide free consultations over the phone at any time.
Don’t Drink and Drive This Halloween
Drinking and driving is not only dangerous to those around you, it is also a danger to yourself. You could face severe DUI penalties if you’re pulled over, and police are especially vigilant during this time. If you are pulled over this Halloween, call the top DUI lawyers in Clearwater at Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan P.A. immediately.
We are available at any time by calling (727) 578-0303 or completing our contact request form.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
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