Orlando Police Have Zero Tolerance for DUI during New Year’s Celebrations
Like any other year, celebrations rang in the New Year around the world—despite being in the middle of a pandemic. As a holiday that serves to welcome new beginnings and say good riddance to the past, many people washed down 2020 by imbibing in alcohol.
Although this year has been challenging for most, Orlando Police sees it as no excuse to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. With the hope of curbing the increase of DUIs and keeping the community safe, law enforcement agencies were out in full force, ready to crack down on drunk drivers by monitoring bar and club scenes and doubling DUI area checkpoints.
New Year’s Celebrations and the Prevalence of Alcohol
For most, the holidays are spent celebrating with family and friends. From vacations and traveling to at-home parties and local events, alcohol consumption is not uncommon. Indeed, more alcohol is consumed during the holidays than at any other time of year. Unfortunately, the tradition of drinking on New Year’s is more traumatic than fun for those pulled over and charged with a DUI.
Americans tend to spend New Year’s participating in social gatherings that involve social alcohol consumption—where people tend to drink larger quantities of alcohol to relax and have a good time. When a person drinks too much alcohol, the body struggles to metabolize these substances, causing excess alcohol to remain in the bloodstream. When drivers don’t wait long enough for the alcohol to leave their system before getting behind the wheel, even if they feel sober enough to drive, they may be arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Shocking New Year’s DUI Statistics
The number of drunk driving accidents has reduced by nearly half since the 1980s. Still, over 10,000 people are killed annually due to an alcohol-impaired driver. Every day, 29 lives are taken in traffic crashes that involve intoxicated drivers. This number increases by nearly 40 percent during the holiday season.
Don’t become part of a statistic. Despite certain DUI procedures and protocol, police officers still make mistakes, and alcohol breath tests can produce inaccurate results. Although errors can occur, why take chances when it comes to your freedom? Be sure to have safe transportation plans for New Year’s ready before you decide to go out and drink.
How Many Alcoholic Drinks Will Put You Over the Legal Limit in Florida?
The amount of alcoholic drinks you can consume before reaching the legal limit for intoxication (0.08% BAC) is dependent on multiple factors. Keep in mind that the number of drinks you can have will not be the same as someone else. It’s essential to be able to recognize when it’s time to stop drinking and understand specific elements that affect your BAC, including:
- Gender: Generally, the percentage of water and fat in the human body varies according to age and gender. On average, women have lower body water and higher body fat percentages than men. Since alcohol is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and not through fat tissues, women tend to have higher BAC levels than men after an equal number of drinks.
- Weight: The higher your body weight, the more water your body contains. Water helps flush out alcohol quickly from your system.
- Time frame: The more you drink in a specific time frame, the more work your liver has to do to process and absorb alcohol.
- Digestive system: Drinking on an empty stomach will cause alcohol to pass through the stomach and into the bloodstream faster, thereby increasing your BAC.
The higher your BAC, the more likely you will experience side-effects such as slurred speech, slowed reaction times, loss of good judgment, and trouble balancing. Even light and moderate drinkers may lack the focus to make responsible decisions while out celebrating.
Hire an Orlando DUI Lawyer to Protect Yourself from Severe Penalties
If you’re dealing with pending DUI charges that occurred after a New Year’s celebration, it’s important to have a trusted Orlando DUI lawyer on your side who understands what you’re going through and wants to help. The DUI lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm will work vigorously to protect your freedom from the potential penalties that come with a DUI conviction in Florida.
At The Umansky Law Firm, our DUI lawyers are former prosecutors and Board-Certified trial lawyers who have defended thousands of DUI cases in Central Florida. You can rest assured that working with us will provide you with a unique perspective on how to effectively defend your case. We take immense pride in our ability to deliver the knowledgeable and effective defense you need to obtain results. Speak to an experienced DUI lawyer by calling our office or filling out a contact form for a free case evaluation today.
