DUIs and the Fourth of July Don’t Mix

July 4, 2016

A DUI is probably the worst way to celebrate the Fourth of July. The sad truth is that many people will make bad drinking and driving choices over America’s birthday weekend.

Our Tampa DUI Defense Lawyers want to remind drivers of the consequences of choosing to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

1. DUIs Increase Over the Fourth of July

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 10,322 fatalities involving drunk drivers in all of 2012, which accounted for almost one-third of the total motor vehicle traffic deaths that year. From 2008 to 2012, 765 people died in Fourth of July DUI crashes, which makes up roughly 40 percent of traffic fatalities during the five-year period.

2. Drunk Drivers are Usually Out at Night

Once the sun sets, the dangers of a DUI increase significantly. According to NHTSA, drivers involved in deadly crashes on July 4, 2012, had rates of impairment 2.5 times higher at night than during the day. With that said, if you have been partying all day and night, you may want to sleep off your buzz and drive home in the morning. You can also use a DD, cab or Lyft or Uber to get home safe and sound and DUI free.

3. You Will See Many DUI Checkpoints

Every year, Tampa and all other cities throughout Florida and the rest of the United States set up DUI checkpoints to catch drunk drivers during the Fourth of July holiday. Just know that these stops are legal, and you could be stopped at any time without any cause.

4. If You are Arrested, Be Prepared to Wait

Holiday weekends mean long weekends for the court system as well, so if you are arrested at the beginning of the three-day Fourth of July weekend you may not stand before a judge until Tuesday. If you can’t make bail, you may have to spend some time in police custody after a DUI arrest, which is never a great way to spend a Fourth of July weekend.

Before you drink and drive, remember these facts. Our Tampa DUI Lawyers at Whittel & Melton know that everyone makes mistakes, so if you are busted for a DUI this holiday weekend, we are here to help. We will be available 24/7 this long weekend, so please call us at 813-221-2300 or contact us online if you find yourself in trouble with the law.

From all of us at Whittel & Melton, Happy Fourth of July!