Christmas Eve is around the corner, a time for celebration and jubilation. It’s not a secret that Christmas is a time of heavy imbibing for adults across America. Scores of parties, friends, family and booze; what could go wrong? If you’ve ever been convicted of a DUI in the state of California, you know exactly “what could go wrong!” Heavy fines, temporary loss of license, and potential jail time. Those unfortunate enough to make the same error more than once know that the penalties only get more severe.

Driving under the influence is a serious crime, the punishment can have serious impacts on one’s life. Such penalties are in place for good reason, deterring people from getting behind the wheel with alcohol in their system saves lives. And not just the life of the driver, when someone is driving under the influence—no one is safe. Fatal car wrecks linked to alcohol often steal the lives of innocent bystanders.

Local police departments know that many people will take the risk and drive drunk in the coming days, which means they will double their efforts to enforce drunk and drugged driving laws. DUI checkpoints will be set up all across the State of California, so if you are planning to spike the eggnog, then it’s best to have a designated driver. If you don’t have a “DD,” call a cab or friend to pick you up. The risk does not outweigh the reward of making it home without a DUI on your record.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Together with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), Newport Beach Police officers started a campaign to stop drunk driving in Southern California. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over runs through January 1, it is designed to educate Californians about the dangers of driving under the influence and steps up enforcement in the way of checkpoints, OC Weekly reports. The campaign was created in partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Newport Beach Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, Dec. 22. Other cities throughout the county will have their own checkpoints in the coming days as well. If you are going to drink, take it from us, you will be glad you didn’t decide to get behind the wheel.

DUI Help

If you or a loved finds encounters law enforcement this Christmas due to DUI, sound legal advice is in order. Attorney Ronald Brower has been achieving successful outcomes in DUI cases for decades. Please contact us following the holiday, we can help. The Law Office of Ronald G. Brower would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.