Halloween is Tomorrow – Avoid Finding Yourself Facing DUI Charges

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or driving in a reckless manner can leave you facing criminal charges at any time of year, however the odds greatly increase on a holiday such as Halloween. While Halloween is a fun time for not only children and teen but grown adults who often attend parties, safety should be top priority.

There will be many more pedestrians out and about on the streets of Los Angeles as kids go trick-or-treating, which means the risks of an accident increase. Children and teens often don’t pay a lot of attention to their surroundings, and some costumes are difficult to see after dark. A child may dart out from between parked cars on the side of the roadway. It is vital to pay strict attention to the roads, and to avoid any type of distraction whether by a cell phone, eating, or even engaging in conversation with passengers. Most important of all, do not get out on the roadways if you’ve been drinking! The last thing you want to face is a DUI charge, or even worse – an accident that injures someone as a result of impaired driving.

What if you’re attending an adult Halloween party where alcohol will be served? There are lots of options other than getting behind the wheel. If you intend to partake of alcoholic beverages, be sure you have a designated driver. If this isn’t possible, call a taxi to take you home, or spend the night at the host’s home or a nearby hotel that’s within walking distance. Call a friend to come pick you up. There is absolutely no reason to be driving after you’ve had a few drinks, so make plans ahead of time.

Here are a few sobering statistics from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): Over a five-year time span (2009 to 2013), 43% of Halloween night traffic fatalities involved an intoxicated or impaired driver. In 2013, more than a quarter of Halloween night pedestrian fatalities were the result of an impaired driver.

Because Halloween falls on a Saturday night and many adults do not have to work the next day, there will likely be more people drinking and driving. Halloween is an exciting and fun-filled holiday for kids and teens, but unfortunately the dangers and risks they face are high. Don’t become part of the statistics – regardless of whether it’s Halloween or any other day of the week, don’t drink and drive.

If you do have an error in judgment and find yourself facing criminal charges involving intoxicated driving, the most important step you can take is to consult with a highly qualified Los Angeles DUI defense attorney immediately. Whether you are the only person involved or you have caused an accident that resulted in property damage, injury, or even death, you must have a lawyer who will protect your legal rights and advocate on your behalf for the best possible result.