Elevated distracted driving during the holidays is a recipe for disaster!
The fun and excitement, as well as the nerves and anxiety that surround all aspects of the holiday season, heighten the likelihood of mishaps on the road. Factors such as:
- Directions to parties
- Holiday lights & decorations
- Calling loved ones
- Holiday shopping traffic
- Winter weather
are unavoidable parts of the holiday that are meant to be enjoyed and celebrated, yet can turn into disaster at the turn of the head in the direction of newly hung twinkle lights.
The one thing you do have control over is Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
Statistics are staggering, yet consistently elevated each and every year during the winter holiday season.
90 million people take road trips during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
One in eight licensed drivers who have consumed alcohol say they have driven when they believed they were close to or over the legal alcohol limit of 0.08% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
PERCENTAGE OF HIGHWAY DEATHS DUE TO ALCOHOL
- 37% Christmas holiday
- 8% New Year’s holiday
- 40% Winter holidays combined (includes Thanksgiving)
HOLIDAY DRINKING TRENDS
- 96% Showed up to work hungover after a party
- 60% People who believe that drinking alcohol makes a party more enjoyable
- 57% Have seen people get behind the wheel and drive under the influence
- 40% People who say that they, their family, and friends use the holidays as a reason to drink
INJURIES AND DEATHS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
- 2-3X more people die in alcohol related accidents
- 1,200 deaths result from alcohol related accidents
- 25,000 injuries due to alcohol related accidents
DUI OFFENDER DRINKING VIOLATIONS
- 33% Christmas Eve increase in DUI offender violations
- 155% New Year’s Eve increase in DUI offender violations
- 33% Day before Thanksgiving through end of New Year’s day average increase
POLICE DUI CHECKPOINTS DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
During the holidays, drivers can expect to be under close scrutiny by the police due to the known elevation in holiday activity including alcohol. It is the duty of the police to keep the community safe, and they are watching the roads closely for drivers who may be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Expect the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) to have DUI checkpoints set up across the Las Vegas valley on Christmas. Signs might indicate a “roadblock” or a “sobriety checkpoint.” It is sometimes possible to find out where these checkpoints will be ahead of time on the local news and some navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps.
In a DUI checkpoint, anticipate them stopping all vehicles passing through the checkpoint and checking drivers for signs of being under the influence. Temporary stop signs and roadblocks are put up in order for the officers to speak with the driver of each car. You may be asked a few simple questions in order for them to check for signs of intoxication such as slurred speech. They will also be looking for things like open containers of alcohol or drug paraphernalia.
Common areas where DUI checkpoints can be found in Las Vegas include:
- Blue Diamond Rd
- Decatur Blvd
- Frank Sinatra Dr
- Harrison Drive
- Paradise Rd
- Titanium Ave
- Tropicana Ave
Knowing the potential consequences of a DUI and what steps to take if you happen to be caught driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other substance that can cause impairment is important.
Did you know?
Blood alcohol content (BAC) limits are lower for commercial drivers and drivers under the age of 21.
- 0.08% Legal BAC limit for non-commercial drivers 21 years of age and older
- 0.04% Legal BAC limit for commercial drivers
- 0.02% Legal BAC limit for drivers under 21 years of age
According to NOLO’s DUI Driving Law Resources:
Nevada DUI penalties vary depending on the facts of the case. For the most part, the penalty ranges are determined by how many prior convictions the person has. The chart below provides potential sentences for a first, second, and third DUI conviction. The “look-back” period for determining whether a DUI is a second or subsequent offense is seven years.
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|
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|
Jail |
180-day maximum (mandatory 2 days in jail or 48 to 96 hours community service) |
180-day maximum (mandatory 10 days in jail or home confinement) |
1 to 6 years in prison |
|
Fines |
$400 minimum |
$750 minimum (or equivalent number of community service hours) |
$2,000 minimum |
|
License Revocation |
At least 185 days |
1 year |
3 years |
|
185 days if BAC is less than .18%, 1 to 3 years if BAC is .18% or more |
185 days if BAC is less than .18%, 1 to 3 years if BAC is .18% or more |
1 to 3 years |
What To Do If You Are in Trouble with a Ticket for a DUI
Call Ticket Busters immediately. Our lawyers can clarify your legal situation and assist you in learning about all of your options. Ticket Busters helps our clients preserve, restore, and move forward with their lives after a DUI or any other traffic violation. We are available 24/7 to assist you and address emergency matters. Call us at: 702.666.6666.
