By the end of a long work week, you might look forward to going on a date with your spouse or partner, or getting together with friends for some recreational time. Whether you gather at a home or go to a club, part of your social activity might include imbibing alcohol. Maybe you and your friends are wine buffs who enjoy going to local wineries to taste and compare flavors.
If wine is not really your thing, you might be a beer drinker who loves to down a couple cold ones while watching your favorite team on a big screen TV. No matter what your favorite type of drink happens to be, there’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying an alcoholic beverage from time to time. Drunk driving, on the other hand, is a problem that can lead to criminal charges as well as disaster if a collision occurs.
You can prevent tragedies
If you know you’re going to be drinking, it’s always best to take some precautions to avoid drunk driving. The easiest way to do so is to designate a driver who agrees to abstain from alcohol and act solely as the chauffeur for the evening.
When you throw a party or attend one as a guest, it’s a good idea to drink non-alcoholic beverages alongside the drinks you have that contain alcohol. It’s also a good idea to eat food while drinking as it can help slow the rate of alcohol absorption in your body. Being conscious of how your own body reacts to alcohol is also beneficial to avoiding drunk driving.
If a problem arises on the road
If a Wisconsin police officer pulls you over and asks you to step out of your vehicle, you can bet he or she suspects you of impairment, be it drugs or alcohol. In such situations, it’s critical that you know your rights. If police take you into custody, things may get a lot worse before they get better. The fact that you may face charges doesn’t necessarily mean the court will hand down a conviction.
More than 30% of all fatal collisions involve one or more drunk drivers. Facing DWI charges means you’re at risk for severe penalties under conviction, which is why it’s so important for you to know what to do or not do during a traffic stop or following an arrest. Most drivers request legal representation right away.