Pennsylvania DUI Lawyers Blog
The holiday season has always been a time of happiness, celebration and joy. While many people will be spending time with family and friends The Pennsylvania State Police will join together with other law enforcement agencies from around the country in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. This campaign will run from December 16, 2016
through New Years Day. The goal here is obviously to aggressively crack down on drunk driving throughout the holiday season. Making sure that people are safe on the roadways is the primary concern and the police want to get the word out.
Agencies throughout Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties will be taking part in this DUI crackdown. Officials will be looking out for drivers who show signs of alcohol impairment on the roadways. Police Departments will also have Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) available if individuals are impaired by drugs, alcohol or both. The police will be taking this very seriously and so should you.
Studies have shown that one of the most deadliest times on the roadway are during the holiday season. A large number of traffic related deaths are alcoholic related and this number is even greater during Christmas and New Years season. Holiday parties with co-workers, friends and families will be taking place all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition, this is always a busy travel season which puts even more people at risk.
DUI checkpoints are just one way that police will attempt to identify impaired drivers and remove them from the roadway. There are very precise rules that these agencies MUST follow when setting up these checkpoints. https://www.pennsylvaniaduilawyersblog.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=253&action=edit Although the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects an individuals rights against illegal search and seizure, checkpoints are allowed if certain protocol is followed according to State and Federal Courts. If checkpoints however are not set up properly this could be a potential defense that a skilled DUI defense attorney can use to successfully defend their clients.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can be devastating and can include jail time, probation, loss of license as well as significant fines and costs. Everyone should make sure they plan ahead this holiday season to avoid putting themselves in this unfortunate situation. If there is no designated driver there are many other options out there to avoid driving after consuming alcohol. Besides public transportation, one of the most trendy ways to travel now are services such as UBER or LYFT. I often tell my clients that a DUI is 100% preventable if a person makes the right choices. No matter how much you have to drink, no matter how good you feel after consuming alcohol just don’t get behind the wheel.
The countdown to 2017 is officially here and we will be officially saying goodbye to 2016. Lets make sure the New Year starts off on the right foot. I urge everyone to be safe, have fun and make smart and informed decisions. One bad choice can have serious and lasting consequences. One thing that often gets overlooked are the thousands of other drivers on the roadway. Each and every time a person consumes alcohol and gets behind the wheel, they are not only putting their lives at risk but everyone else on the roadway as well. I wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Hiring the right attorney can make all the difference in the world, even if your case seems straightforward or you have no criminal record. If you find yourself arrested for a DUI, make sure you have a capable attorney on your side. Pennsylvania DUI attorney Zachary B. Cooper will be aggressive and will fight to make sure that your rights are protected so that your family and you can move on with your lives. Call (215) 542-0800 for a free consultation to discuss the legal options that may be available to you.