Getting together with friends and family to watch the big game, be it college or NFL, is a great way to spend an evening, especially if your team wins. Good food, drinks, and fun people can lead to a really great time. It can also lead to a DUI if you choose to drive after drinking alcoholic beverages.

There a several ways to avoid a DUI:

• Have a designated driver. This person cannot have any alcohol, not even a drink at the beginning of the party. There is no guarantee that this person will be sober enough to drive when you are ready to leave.
• Call a cab or a car service. Taking a cab or car service to the party and home afterward ensures that you do not drive.
• Stay the night if possible. If the party is at the home of a family member or friend inquire about possibly staying the night to avoid driving.
• Make it a virgin. Enjoy your favorite drinks without the alcohol and also try non-alcoholic beer.
• Be responsible. Know your limit and stick to it. Ultimately, you are the one that has to deal with the consequences of a DUI.

It is very important to have a plan in place. Do not rely on the get sober fast gimmicks. They do not work nor guarantee that you will pass a sobriety test. Florida’s statute on DUI states that you are guilty of drunk driving if your blood alcohol level is .08% or higher. Even if you stop drinking early and have plenty to eat you still risk having a blood alcohol level that can lead to a DUI charge. Remember, just because you have a blood alcohol level below .08% does not mean you are good to go. An officer can still find you incapable of driving and charge you with a DUI.

So have a plan when you leave home to avoid a DUI and if you find yourself in a situation where you might be facing charges of driving under the influence, the attorneys at Epstein and Robbins have extensive experience obtaining the best possible outcome for their clients. Reach out to us now. We can help!

As part of the privilege of driving in Florida, all motorists implicitly agree to submit to a breath test if asked to by police after lawfully being pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. However, officers must have reasonable cause that the motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol when asking the motorist to submit to a breath test.