Don’t make a holiday mistake: Avoid a drunk driving charge

Drunk driving is dangerous and opens up the possibility of a world of legal trouble if you get caught, so do yourself — and others — a favor this holiday season and commit to a plan that will keep you out of danger.

Here are some things that you need to keep in mind as you decide how to navigate all of that holiday-cheer-in-a-glass that’s out at every party or family gathering this time of year:

1. Those charts showing your limits are just a rough guide

There are tons of online charts that allow you to roughly calculate your blood alcohol concentration. Some of them are more complicated than others, taking into account such diverse things as your age, gender and weight before telling you the number of drinks that it’s safe to consume.

However, no chart can really offer you solid advice about what’s safe for you to drink before you drive. For one thing, the rate at which your body metabolizes alcohol is unique.

Another thing that can affect your ability to drive after drinking is your basic tolerance level to alcohol. Someone who drinks a few beers every day may not even feel a couple of drinks over dinner — but you may be more than a little buzzed after a glass of wine if you seldom drink.

2. Those home breathalyzers may be kind of dicey

Bars started offering these devices in an effort to help patrons be more responsible, and they’re cheap enough that anyone can buy a home Breathalyzer device these days.

However, the quality and reliability of most of them can be questionable at best — especially if it has been sitting around uncalibrated since last year. (Do you even know how to calibrate the device you have properly?)

There’s only one way to avoid a drunk driving charge for sure: Don’t drink and drive. Get a cab, call Uber or make plans to stay at your host’s house overnight if you’re at a party instead.

If you do get charged with drunk driving this holiday season, don’t take chances with your future. Our office can help protect your rights and make sure that you receive fair treatment under the law.