DRIVERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THANKSGIVING DUI ENFORCEMENT

In Colorado and across the United States, people celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in various ways. Some will visit with friends and family, attend parties and take time to relax and have a good time. Part of that might involve drinking alcohol and other legal substances. While there is nothing wrong with that, it does not mean people can get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Some, however, will do that and it can cause accidents with injuries and fatalities. Law enforcement tries to catch these drivers and arrest them. For people who are arrested for DUI during the holidays, it is important to understand the value of a strong legal defense.

State law enforcement is encouraging Coloradans to enjoy the holiday while simultaneously stepping up its efforts to catch people committing DUI. This is understandable given the dangers of DUI. In 2018, out of every five fatalities during Thanksgiving travel time, four involved DUI. That is 80 percent. In the previous year, it was 40 percent. In 2018, almost 600 people were placed under arrest in the state for DUI-related charges.

Starting the week before the holiday, law enforcement began its crackdown on DUI. Because so many people take to the roads, it is unavoidable that some will have had alcohol or used marijuana beforehand. Still, just because a traffic stop was made does not automatically mean the driver was under the influence at a degree where an arrest and conviction is justified. There are many ways in which law enforcement can be overzealous in its efforts, especially when there is a known attempt to catch drivers who might be violating the law. Examples include failing to adhere to established police protocol and violating the driver’s legal rights.

Whether the charges are for DUI, breathalyzer test refusal or any other aspect of the law, having legal advice can be the difference between a conviction with the accompanying possible penalties of jail, fines, a driver’s license suspension and more. A law firm experienced in drunk driving defense can analyze the circumstances of the traffic stop and help with combating the charges.