October 15, 2018
Halloween can be one of the most dangerous nights to be out on the road, especially if you have had too much to drink.
In this post, we’re going to give you tips on how to avoid driving drunk this year and getting a DWI.
Halloween DWI Risks
Consider these Halloween drunk driving statistics:
- Over 58 million adults plan to host or attend a Halloween party. Many of these parties will involve alcohol, which can lead to drunk driving incidents.
- There were 168 people killed in drunk driving incidents between 2012 and 2016.
- Forty-four percent of all Halloween traffic fatalities involved a drunk driver between 2011 and 2015.
- Twenty-three percent of pedestrian fatalities involve a drunk driver.
- Drinking violations rise 19 percent on Halloween, and 80 percent the Saturday before Halloween.
- People between the ages of 21 to 34 years old are at the highest risk for drunk driving fatalities, comprising 46 percent of the total in 2016.
Scary, no?
Don’t worry, though. There are a number of things you can do to avoid getting a DWI this Halloween.
Tips for Avoiding a Halloween DWI in Texas
You can still have fun on Halloween without worrying about facing drunk driving charges. Take these steps to avoid getting a DWI this Halloween.
Plan well
You’ll have greater peace of mind with a plan in place. Plan your route home in advance or ask the host if you can stay over. Then you’ll be less tempted to drive yourself home and possibly face DWI charges. Another easy way to plan for a worry-free night is to fully charge your phone before you leave. Then you won’t be stranded somewhere without a way to arrange for a ride home.
Arrange for a designated driver
When you have a designated driver arranged before the fun begins, you’ll have no worries about getting charged with a DWI in Texas. Plan to reward your designated driver with a night on the town (and lots of treats) after Halloween is over.
Make alternate plans for getting home
If you can’t find a designated driver, you still have several other options for getting home safely. You can ask a friend or family member to come pick you up from your party. If that option isn’t open, use a ridesharing app like Uber to book a ride home. You can also call for a cab or use public transportation to get home.
Use helpful apps
You can use several apps to help you stay safer and estimate whether you are sober enough to drive. BACtrack and Intellidrink help you estimate your blood alcohol content, and Alucudroid Alcohol Tracker helps Android users track the number of drinks they consume.
To find a ride home, you can use the apps for Uber, SaferRide, TaxiHail, Cabzilla or Curb. These options make payment easy since they accept credit cards. Plug your information in before the night begins, and you won’t need to worry about trying to pay after you’ve had one too many.
Give up your keys
When you get to the party, voluntarily turn your keys over to the host for safekeeping. This method prevents you from leaving without first getting permission from someone else.
Boost your water consumption
If you’re planning to drink alcohol, drink plenty of water too. Alcohol dries out your system quickly, but you can have a steadier blood alcohol content if you drink one full glass of water after every alcoholic beverage. In other words, you will be less likely to get drunk if you stay hydrated.
Eat before the party
Have a regular, well-balanced meal before the party begins. The food in your stomach will help metabolize the alcohol. It will also slow the alcohol’s effects and keep you sober longer.
Quit drinking before the party ends
If you must drive yourself home, plan to stop drinking an hour or two before you leave. Drinking all the way up until your departure puts you at a high risk for DWI. However, if you begin slowing your drinking for several hours before leaving, you’ll be in much better shape to drive without getting charged for drunk driving.
The Most Straight-Forward Way to Avoid a Halloween DWI in Texas? Don’t Drink and Drive
As you can see, there are a number of steps you can take to keep yourself from getting a DWI this Halloween – and this list is just the beginning. Even if you are charged, a knowledgeable Texas criminal lawyer can help.
Still, the best and simplest way to prevent yourself from getting into trouble is to not drink and drive. Easier said than done, maybe, but that’s why you’re thinking about it now. When you have time to plan ahead, the job gets a lot easier.
About the Author:
The strength of Brian S. Eppes as a lawyer is in his unique and varied background. Like many other private attorneys, at one point he worked as a prosecutor. However, he also served in George W. Bush’s White House, has helped Texas legislators to write laws, and spent time at a tax and estate planning firm. These experiences have enabled him to look at cases in a different way than his peers and find creative solutions that benefit his clients.
