There really never is a good time to drink and drive. After all, officers may stop you for violating the state’s OUI law virtually anywhere and at any time. Still, New Year’s Eve is primetime for OUI enforcement. If you drive with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08%, your luck may run out at the start of 2020.
The best way to avoid an OUI charge is never to drink and drive. As a resident of the Boston area, you have many options for enjoying a night on the town without risking criminal charges. Here are three tips for avoiding a New Year’s Eve OUI stop:
1. Figure out a ride
To avoid legal trouble, you must have zero tolerance for drinking and driving on New Year’s Eve. Put simply, you must figure out a ride home. Check the schedules of trail and bus lines, ride-hailing services and cabs to be certain that you can get where you need to go for the holiday.
2. Inspect your vehicle
Police officers are likely to be on the lookout for inebriated drivers on the last day of the year. Even if you have nothing to drink, you do not want to give officers an excuse to stop your vehicle. Therefore, inspect your car before you leave home. If you notice burned-out lights or other maintenance problems, repair them or take a different car to avoid an unwanted field-sobriety test.
3. Drive responsibly
There is a good chance that other motorists on the road on New Year’s Eve will have had too much to drink. Therefore, you must drive responsibly and defensively. Doing so may help you avoid police suspicion as well. Remember, when deciding whether a driver may be drunk, officers look for erratic, slow or unpredictable driving behaviors.
You do not want your fun New Year’s Eve celebration to end with OUI charges. By knowing how to stay out of trouble on the holiday, you can enjoy the festivities without sabotaging the beginning of your new year.