When you think of drunk driving arrests, you may think of going out on the town for parties that linger late into the night or driving home in the wee hours of the morning after the bars have closed. Police may notice a driver swerving down a lonely highway or forgetting to turn the headlights on. In the worst-case scenario, officers respond to the scene of a late-night drunk driving accident.
What you may not consider is that not all drunk driving incidents take place between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. In fact, a hefty percentage of drunk driving accidents occur during the brunch hours.
Why OUI so early in the day?
A recent study analyzed data from the latest fatality reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and made a startling discovery. An average of nearly 11% of drunk driving accidents do not occur at night. Instead, they happen between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The state of Massachusetts ranks as the sixth highest state for fatal drunk driving accidents during the brunch hours with almost 15% of all OUI crashes occurring at that time.
You may be among those who enjoy a hearty brunch. Perhaps you have a favorite restaurant that serves brunch along with a Bloody Mary bar or endless mimosas. It’s easy to think of these as breakfast drinks, forgetting they contain alcohol that the fruity flavors disguise.
On the other hand, your job may require you to meet clients at lunch to discuss business over cocktails, which may cause you to lose track of your alcohol intake. The next thing you know, you are facing a drunk driving offense and perhaps more serious charges if you are involved in an accident.
Protecting your future
In addition to being among the states with the highest number of brunch-time drunk driving incidents, Massachusetts is among the strictest states for drunk driving laws. If police arrest you for OUI, you are at risk of dealing with high fines, license suspension and the potential for jail time, even for a first-offense conviction. You can expect more severe penalties if your arrest includes charges related to an accident.
Drunk driving charges are nothing to take lightly. A conviction can damage your future and hinder you from reaching your goals in many areas of your life. If police recently arrested you for drunk driving, you would be wise to secure legal representation as early as possible to determine the most appropriate way to defend yourself against the charges.