Inviting family and friends over for a party is a time-honored way of celebrating the holidays. However, as traffic and DUI lawyers know, one reason accidents and arrests increase during the holiday season is because more people drink and drive. If you’re a host, these tips can help you keep guests out of trouble on the road when they leave your home.    

5 Ways to Keep Party Guests From Needing a DUI Lawyer

1. Provide Alternative Transportation

Rent a shuttle bus or van or hire a designated driver to get drinking guests home safely. Rideshares can transport singles and groups of four or six passengers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a SaferRide app for smartphone devices, making it easy to call a friend or a taxi to take a guest home. 

2. Change the Focus 

Focusing on food and fun instead of booze keeps the party lively and guests safe. Give out a limited number of drink tickets per person to control how much they imbibe and stop serving two hours before the party ends.    

3. Plan a Sleepover

Providing a place for drinking guests to spend the night in your home can give you and them peace of mind. For a party twist, plan a sleepover, and tell folks to BYOB, bring your own blankets. Offer hot coffee and donuts when they wake up in the morning.

4. Use a Bartender

Hire a bartender to control and monitor alcohol consumption. An experienced professional bartender knows when and how to stop serving guests, and helps protect you and your guests from criminal and civil liability.

5. Don’t Serve Alcohol

Making your party a non-alcoholic one is an excellent way of preventing people from leaving under the influence. Try a selection of mocktail recipes, sparkling ciders, and carbonated flavored waters as delicious and healthy substitutes.

If you need as a DUI lawyer’s advice during the holiday season, consult Michael A. Newland Esquire. Based in Hamilton, OH, and serving all of Butler County, Michael offers more than 25 years of experience as a traffic lawyer and provides aggressive and effective representation for each client. Whether he’s in or out of court, this criminal attorney protects your rights and interests. Find out more about his services online, or to schedule a consultation call (513) 887-9595.