The holidays are full of festivities, from office Christmas parties to New Year’s get-togethers with friends. All that celebrating means you’ll likely be raising a glass or two, but beware of combining drinking and driving. You don’t want to put a damper on the seasonal spirit by searching for a DUI attorney or getting in an accident that results in injuries to yourself or others. 

How to Avoid a Holiday DUI

1. Be the Designated Driver

You can take a break from drinking for a night and be the person getting yourself and your friends home. As an added bonus, you won’t have a holiday hangover to deal with the next morning.

2. Limit Your Drinking

If you’re simply going to a dinner and plan to drive home, be smart about your alcohol consumption. Do not abide by the “one drink per hour” rule. Every person’s body metabolizes alcohol differently. Stick to one glass for the night, make sure to eat plenty of food, and drink a lot of water as well. 

3. Arrange a Safe Ride Home

If you’re heading out with a group of people, choose one person to stay sober and drive everyone home. You can also ensure you have a taxi company’s number or a ride-share app. Some companies even offer special discounts over the holiday season. 

4. Stay Where You Are

If you’re going to a party at a friend’s house and don’t have a safe ride lined up to get home, ask if you can sleep there. If you live in a bigger city and are attending a party across town, you can even book a nearby hotel.

5. Be a Smart Host

If you host a holiday party, let people stay over. Serve food and nonalcoholic beverages, so guests can moderate their drinking. If an intoxicated person tries to drive, don’t let them. As any DUI attorney will tell you, there are cases where hosts or bars have been held partially liable for another person’s drunk driving.

If you find yourself needing a DUI attorney this holiday season, contact James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law. Based in Cincinnati, OH, this lawyer has been helping clients for more than 10 years. Whether it’s a juvenile delinquency or a felony case, he will create a tailor-made defense to suit your needs—and back it up with aggressive representation. Learn more about his experience as a DUI attorney online, or call (513) 503-7251 to schedule a consultation.