Three Tips For Avoiding A Holiday DUI
Posted on: 28 November 2015
Everybody loves the holidays and there's nothing wrong with you and your friends enjoying a little liquor in your hot cocoa while you're celebrating. However, you want to make sure that neither you nor your friends end up involved in a DUI or an alcohol-related accident. Here are 3 tips to keep in mind:
1. Be Aware Of Heavy Police Presence During The "DUI Season"
Thanksgiving Eve has the dubious distinction of being called "Blackout Wednesday" as the busiest bar night of the year -- but it's just the kickoff to the entire holiday season. By New Year's, alcohol-related accidents spike to an average of 54 per day, a drastic increase over the norm of 36 per day for the rest of the year.
These statistics are well-known, so you can expect police to be on the lookout for signs of impaired driving. If you feel the slightest bit buzzed, tipsy, or drunk, don't get behind the wheel of your car, even for a short distance.
2. Increase Your Sugar And Fat Intake To Improve Your Alcohol Tolerance
If you need a reason to cheat on your diet during the holidays here's a good one: increasing your sugar and fat intake can slow down your alcohol absorption and keep you from getting drunk.
Studies show that people who use diet soft drinks as a mixer with alcohol become drunk faster than those who use full-calorie drinks instead. The sugar in regular soft drinks slows the absorption of alcohol by as much as 18%. While you may not actually feel that much of a change, that can be the difference between blowing under or over a 0.08 (the legal limit in all states) on a breathalyzer test.
If you want to slow down the rate of alcohol absorption in your body even further, consider mixing your drinks with juice instead of a soft drink. The carbonation in soft drinks speeds up the movement of alcohol into your body.
The food that you eat can also affect alcohol absorption. Carbohydrates can speed up the process, so skip the rolls and crackers. Go for high-fat items and proteins like meatballs, ham, and cheese cubes instead. Fat and protein slow the ability of alcohol to leave the stomach. If you see a slice of cheesecake, feel free to indulge.
3. Have A Backup Plan In Case Of An Emergency
Put the number of a reliable cab company in your wallet or purse and a couple of spare $20 bills. That way you have the number and the cash for a taxi just in case you or a friend accidentally overdoes it. This is a good plan even if you are supposed to have a designated driver -- you never know when someone will cancel at the last moment on you.
Hopefully, your holidays will all be bright and merry and you won't have to worry about a DUI. If you do end up with a charge, however, contact a DUI attorney right away to discuss your case.
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