Protect Yourself – and Others – When Drinking on St. Patrick’s Day
Whether you plan to participate in the Orlando Bar Crawl, attend the City of Oviedo’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, co-hosted by the Irish beer brand Guinness, the truck pull in Sanford, or the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs, you will undoubtedly drink during this holiday.
However, think about staying safe and keeping others safe, too. Orlando Police Department officers, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole County deputies, and other law enforcement officers do not tolerate drunk driving, even on a holiday known for raising a glass.
Plan Ahead to Party Safely
If you plan to abandon yourself to drinking on St. Patrick’s Day at myriad party scenes, you should consider several measures to protect yourself from criminal charges and others from physical harm. Consider:
- Naming a designated driver who agrees to remain sober
- Using a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft to travel the party circuit
- Contacting one of the many sources that offer free rides and will tow your car if you are too impaired to drive
- Taking public transportation, including the Orlando I-RIDE Trolley that makes 100 stops and completes the 11-mile route in the International Drive area every 20 minutes
- Pace your drinking to keep it below the 0.08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Florida
- Carry a personal breathalyzer to gauge your BAC
- Being mindful of dizziness, confusion, grogginess, slurring or words, or impaired balance
It is also wise to refrain from mixing prescription medications or controlled substances with alcohol, which only exacerbates your inability to drive safely. Alternating a glass of water with a beer, glass of wine, or cocktail, and eating while drinking, slow the effects of alcohol.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) During St. Patrick’s Day
Central Florida law enforcement officers routinely conduct traffic stops during peak times for drinking, such as after Orlando Magic basketball games, during holidays when people are prone to drink, and sometimes as a surprise tactic. St. Patrick’s Day is a prime time to be stopped and subjected to a portable breath test or taken to the station for a blood test.
Do not think that you can refuse a breathalyzer test and drive away. If the officer who stops you has probable cause, like when you are weaving, driving too slowly, ignoring traffic signs, and when stopped slurring words, or there is an odor of alcohol or marijuana in your vehicle or an open container of alcohol, you can be arrested. To protect yourself if you are pulled over after drinking on St. Patrick’s Day, consult with an experienced DUI lawyer and protect others by choosing an alternative mode of transportation so you avoid an accident.
DUI Penalties
Penalties for DUI in Central Florida vary widely depending on aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Even a first DUI can lead to harsh penalties of up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000, a suspended driver’s license, community service, and installation of the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for up to six months if your BAC is more than 0.15 percent. Life gets worse from there if you are charged and convicted again.
Your fourth and subsequent DUIs can send you to prison for up to five years, with fines up to $5,000, permanent revocation of your driver’s license, but if the judge does not revoke it, at least two years with an IID. If you injure or kill someone while driving under the influence, penalties escalate further. In Florida, a DUI stays on your driving record for 75 years. Do not let St. Patrick’s Day revelry ruin your life. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you protect yourself and others while drinking on St. Patrick’s Day.
A Lawyer Protects You From St. Paddy’s Day DUI Charges
St. Patrick Day has always been a joyful Irish event in the Orlando area. Pub crawls and parades are widespread, and so is drinking, especially green beer for good luck. But your luck can run out if law enforcement stops you for suspicion of DUI.
Protect yourself and others when drinking on St. Patrick’s Day. And if you forget to monitor how much you are imbibing, our skilled criminal attorneys are available to handle DUI charges in a way most favorable to you.
