Recovering Your Reputation

If you're going to be heading to summer parties, and you know that drinking will be involved, it's time to start thinking about a possible DUI. No one ever plans on getting pulled over for a DUI, but it still happens. The trick to avoiding the DUI is to be prepared in advance. Here are four important steps that will help you avoid a DUI this summer.

Leave Your Car at Home

Now that summer parties are in full swing, the alcohol is going to be flowing. If you even suspect that you'll be drinking at the next party you go to, you should leave your car at home. Park it in the driveway and hire a ride share service to transport you to and from the party. Choosing a designated driver is fine if you know one who absolutely will not be drinking during the party. However, hiring a ride share service will allow you and your friends the opportunity to enjoy a few drinks without the risk of driving home afterward.

Spread out Your Drinking

If you're going to be drinking, one of the best things you can do is spread out your consumption. Taking your drinks one at a time and going slow with them is a good way to reduce your level of intoxication. It also gives you time to enjoy a few snacks along the way, which also helps reduce the risk of severe intoxication.

Set a Drink Limit Ahead of Time

If you're going to be driving home after the party, be sure to set a limit for yourself ahead of time. Knowing exactly how many drinks you'll allow yourself and setting a time to stop drinking will help you avoid being intoxicated when you head home. If you're worried that you'll go over your limit, make some drink tokens for yourself and let the party host know that you'll be using them. Each time you grab yourself a drink, give the host one of your party tokens. When the tokens are gone, the drinking stops. Be sure to stop drinking about an hour before the party ends. That will give you enough time to get some of the alcohol out of your system before you head home.

Know What to Do If You're Pulled Over

If you know you'll be driving home from the party, be sure to prepare yourself for the possibility that you'll be pulled over. This is particularly important if your city utilizes random checkpoints during the summer. Before you head out for the party, grab your registration and proof of insurance, and place them on your passenger seat. Having them ready will help you avoid problems when trying to wrestle them from the glove box during a sobriety checkpoint. If you're asked to take a breathalyzer test, take it. You can argue the results of a breathalyzer much easier than you can a blood or urine test. Above all else, contact an attorney immediately if the checkpoint results in a DUI arrest.

To learn more about potential DUIs, talk to firms like Pollack & Ball LLC.