The Nightmare Before Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends to spend quality time together and express gratitude. However, many young people have their own way of celebrating the beloved national holiday: Drinking alcohol. This doesn’t imply casual drinking but rather binge drinking, for the most part.
A cultural phenomenon, Blackout Wednesday is deemed one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, as young people waste no time in reuniting with their hometown friends and celebrating their much-needed school break. Unfortunately, 800 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend between 2013 and 2017, making it the deadliest holiday on the roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As such, law enforcement officers will be on high alert for impaired drivers throughout the Thanksgiving weekend. Some counties may increase patrolling in areas with bars and restaurants to identify impaired drivers before they get on the road. Be mindful that even if you don’t plan on drinking on Blackout Wednesday, countless other people will, which is why there is a higher chance of getting into an OWI-related crash during the holiday weekend. But if you do plan on drinking, remember that you may get charged with OWI and, if convicted, go to jail, pay fines, lose your license and more. It’s not worth it.
With these alarming penalties in mind, our Milwaukee OWI lawyer is here to discuss some helpful tips to best avoid an OWI accusation while still participating in the holiday fun:
- Don’t drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Avoid getting behind the wheel even if you had one or two drinks
- Designate a sober driver before going out to drink
- Use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft or cab services to get a safe ride home
- Some companies like AAA may offer free rides during Thanksgiving depending on where you live
- Book a hotel or stay overnight at a friend’s house
- Be aware of DUI checkpoints
- Do not mix alcohol with medications
- Do not “sleep it off” in your car
We Will Defend Your OWI Charges
Thanksgiving is notorious for heaving drinking and even heavier eating, but there are limits when it comes to operating while intoxicated. Remember, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, so drink responsibly or don’t drink at all!
If you are facing OWI charges, don’t give up. At the Law Offices of Christopher J. Cherella, our Milwaukee OWI attorney will go above and beyond to fight your charges and help you move forward with your life. To schedule a free consultation and get started, contact us at (414) 882-8382!