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A Dangerous Holiday - What to do After a DUI on New Year's?

Updated on March 15, 2023 → Under

It's not surprising that drunk driving accidents happen during New Year's Eve celebrations across America. But even though Illinois overall has some of the lowest rates of DUI arrests nationwide, Chicago alone sees more than twice the national average for DUI arrests on New Year's Eve.

If you're arrested for driving under the influence during the holiday you may want to know what to do after a DUI on New Year's. You'll need an experienced Illinois DUI defense attorney who knows how to build your defense quickly. Cities often crack down particularly hard on drunken drivers during this holiday season, so don't expect any lenience from the court.

New Year’s Eve is One of the Deadliest Holiday Weekends

Don't laugh at people who warn you not to drive after drinking too much alcohol. They're right. Drunk drivers kill thousands of people every single day. Holiday parties contribute to a lot of these fatal crashes and DUI.

two glasses of champagne with fireworks and a clock in the background, after a DUI on New Year's

On New Year's Day, the chances of someone driving under the influence causing an accident is 116 percent higher than usual. Unlike other holidays, when people celebrate for several days, New Year's is just one night, so there are fewer opportunities for drunken driving. Also, because most people take the whole day off from work, they're less likely to drive after drinking.

Independence Day is not as big as New Year’s Eve, but it is close. Drunk driving incidents occur at a rate 78% above the national average on the Fourth of July. Thanksgiving is 3rd most dangerous holiday, with an increased chance of 56 percent.

Labor Day ranks 4th out of the 10 holidays listed here, and Memorial Day ranks 5th. On these two days, the risks of running into a drunk driver go up by 54%. However, since so few people travel during the holidays, the chances of running into drunk drivers on any given day are actually lower than average.

New Year's Eve DUI Statistics

A survey found that 16 percent of adults say they definitely consume more alcohol than usual during the holiday season, and 50 percent say alcohol plays a part in their family gatherings, usually as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. Almost half of those surveyed reported having negative effects from drinking during the holidays, which include:

  • 10 percent of people who drank alcohol before driving were involved in an automobile crash because they were impaired by their drinking.
  • 13 percent of impaired drivers who were arrested for drunk driving had a DUI prior (criminal history)
  • 16 percent of people who made mistakes during their New Year’s Eve celebrations regretted them later.
  • 16 percent of people who had sex regretted it.
  • 24 percent of people who took the test had trouble remembering what they did during the study.

Related Content: New Year's Eve Drunk Driving Statistics

You can receive an 18-month sentence for vehicular assault. The arrest rate is at a high during the New Year. Time is the only proven way to lower your blood alcohol content (BAC). Despite what you might hear, there isn't any other way. There is no scientific proof that these home remedies or popular methods for sober­ing up actually work.

The Effects of Alcohol

Drinking alcohol has an immediate effect on the way your brain works. You cannot tell exactly how many alcoholic beverages will lead to you being drunk enough to be considered legally intoxicated. Alcohol can slow down your reactions and make driving difficult. When you drink too much, you may not be able to drive safely. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in every state. Even if you're not drunk, drinking and driving can cause serious injuries or death.

New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection and renewal. We celebrate by raising a glass to the past and toasting the new year ahead. However, we tend to drink too much at these events.

Refusing to take a breath/blood test; failing a breath/blood test, or having a blood alcohol content (BAC) at .08 or greater; or having a BAC at or above .02 for persons under the legal drinking limit of 21, or at or above .04 for drivers under the legal drinking limit for commercial drivers is considered driving under the influence.

fireworks display on New Year's Eve, after a DUI on New Year's

Illinois law requires drivers to maintain a certain level of sobriety. That means they must keep their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below 0.08 percent. But having a lower BAC doesn't mean you're off the hook. In fact, a driver who has a BAC of 0.05 or higher could face charges. And even though a person may have a lower BAC, prosecutors can still prove impairment based on how much he or she drank.

Help Lower the Odds

If you're hurt by someone who has been drinking or taking drugs, call an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer right away to get the best settlement possible. If you're injured by someone else's negligence, you might be able to sue them for punitive damages.

  • Don't drive under the influence of alcohol - for any reason. Call for a ride; take public transportation; stay overnight.
  • If you know you're going to be under the influence of alcohol, plan ahead so you don't end up drunk at an unsafe place. You could designate someone else to drive you home or use a ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft instead.
  • Don't let friends and family drink and/or use drugs when they're driving. Give them their keys and tell them where they can get a cab. Do not let them peer pressure you into letting them drive. It doesn't matter if they have a glass of wine or haven't had an excessive amount. They can cause a DUI-related fatal accident.
  • If you're planning a party where alcohol will likely be served, arrange for someone else to drive everyone home safely.
  • Be careful! Drive safely – you might be a sober driver but others on the roads may not be.
  • If you see someone driving erratically, contact the police officer or highway patrol (law enforcement) immediately. Your reaction time could save someone's life from a traffic death.

FAQ: What questions should you ask a DUI lawyer?

The effects of alcohol and alcohol consumption should be taken seriously. Your reaction time with alcohol impairment to avoid an accident or a personal injury will not be safe. It will land you jail time. Take Vehicular homicide seriously and be a safe driver.

Hire a DUI Attorney at Dohman Law Group Today

To speak to a DUI attorney contact Dohman Law Group, they will go over everything that happened with your commercial motor vehicle, and your driving record, and go through insurance costs. Contact them at (847)359-4005 for a free case review.

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