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Drunk Driving During the Holiday Season – It’s Not Worth the Risk

The winter holiday season is a special time of year. This is especially true now that we are coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and are able to safely celebrate with friends and family members again. Many of these festivities include imbibing large amounts of alcohol. Unfortunately, a side effect of high alcohol consumption is often drunk driving.

In Florida in 2020, there were a total of 4,554 car crashes due to alcohol consumption, of which 384 were fatal[1]. According to a press release from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, “during Christmas and New Year’s, two to three times more people die in alcohol-related crashes than during comparable periods the rest of the year.[2]” That’s enough to put a damper on anyone’s celebration.

The penalties for drunk driving can be severe. For a first-time DUI conviction, assuming that there is no minor child in the car and you have a blood alcohol level (BAL) of less than 0.15, fines range from $500 to $1000+, up to six months imprisonment, minimum 180-day license revocation, and a 10-day impoundment of the vehicle.[3]

If you damage someone’s property or cause minor injuries to them while intoxicated and it’s your first DUI offense, you may be guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, which can result in a fine up to $1,000 or up to one year imprisonment. If you cause serious bodily harm to someone, that is a third-degree felony, which can result in up to a $5,000 fine and up to five years imprisonment. If a driver kills someone while driving under the influence of alcohol, the penalties can range from a $10,000 fine to up to thirty years imprisonment, depending on the specifics of the situation.[4]

In addition to the legal penalties for driving while intoxicated, there are additional penalties to consider as well: the stigma and embarrassment that you and your family will feel, the cost of legal representation to defend you in court, and the lower standard of living that your family will experience if you are jailed and can no longer provide for them.

Clearly, driving while intoxicated is not worth the risk. If you plan to drink while celebrating the holiday season, make sure you plan in advance for a safe ride home. ECanter Lawyers wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!

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For almost a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

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[1] Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Crash Dashboard – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Accessed November 1, 2021.

[2] PR Newswire. New Year, Old Myths, New Fatalities: Alcohol-Related Traffic Deaths Jump During Christmas and New Year’s (prnewswire.com). Accessed November 1, 2021.

[3] Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Accessed November 1, 2021.

[4] Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Accessed November 1, 2021.