How to Prevent DUI with a Safe Party

Summer is just around the corner. Summertime is the time when most of us take advantage of the warm weather and throw a backyard party. And more often than not, a party during summer includes alcohol. Here are important tips on how you can help prevent drinking and driving on Florida highways.

There are about over a million DUI arrests made annually in the United States. There are about 55,000 arrests in 2011 alone in Florida. In the event that you are charged with a DUI, you must talk to a DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can.

Impaired driving and drunk driving may coincide, but they are not necessarily the same thing. A person is considered to be under the influence in Florida, or driving under the influence, when his blood alcohol content (BAC) is at or above the legal limit of 0.08. It should be noted, however, that even with a BAC lower than the legal limit, a person’s coordination, judgment, and reflexes can be impaired and Florida police patrol officers have the right to issue a DUI to a driver whose driving appears to be impaired, regardless of blood alcohol content.

As the host of the backyard party, make sure that your guests do not drink and drive by designating early on who among them will remain sober and function as designated drivers. For sure, there are guests who wish or may not be able to drink and might entertain the idea of volunteering for sober driver duty. Gather car keys at the start of the party and hang on to them if the owners are not sober.

As the host, make sure that the volunteer drivers and other guests have plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options. This way you can at least limit the consumption of alcohol. If you hire a bartender or assign a friend to do the duties of handling drinks to your guest, then make sure that you explain that guests should not be over-served.

The best way to prevent DUI is moderation in drinking. In addition, allow at least one hour of breathing room for all of your guests to unwind. Serve them additional bites to eat or non-alcoholic beverages before they leave your party. The hotness of summer is dehydrating, and this will worsen the condition of intoxicated drivers. Make sure to prevent a DUI arrest for a friend who comes to a party by following these simple tips.

If a friend is arrested for DUI, advise him or her to seek legal advice and guidance from a DUI lawyer.