The holidays are a time for celebration and fun, but they can also turn into a time of excess drinking and partying. All too often, people who drive after drinking end up in trouble with the law. If you need a DUI lawyer Burnham Illinois to help you with your charges, contact The MacNeil Firm at (708) 218-0947 or (708) 218-0947.
The holidays are a time for celebration and fun, but they can also turn into a time of excess drinking and partying. Excessive alcohol use is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that almost 88,000 people die each year from health problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This includes many deaths from cancers linked to heavy drinking as well as liver disease and heart disease.
Drinking too much can lead to serious problems
Drinking too much can lead to serious problems, including a DUI charge. A DUI (driving under the influence) charge is one of the most common consequences of excessive drinking at holiday parties. If you’re found guilty of driving under the influence, it could mean fines, jail time and other penalties that will remain on your criminal record for years. It can also affect your ability to secure employment in certain fields or have access to housing or higher education. A conviction also means higher insurance rates for years to come.
Drinking at the holidays
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 1,000 people die in alcohol-related accidents during the holidays. The number of alcohol-related accidents increases by about 10% during this time period; meanwhile, DUI arrests increase by approximately 20%.
That is because many people don’t realize they are impaired or even intoxicated when they get behind the wheel. Critical decision-making abilities and driving-related skills are already diminished long before signs of intoxication show. Alcohol decreases inhibitions and judgment and can lead to reckless decisions.
People note many positive reasons for drinking during the holidays, such as celebrating and being sociable. For this reason, Forbes writes that “it is hardly surprising that many people indulge in seasonal binge-drinking.” The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States notes that a quarter of the $49-billion-a-year distilled spirits industry’s profits come from the month between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The temptation to drink during holiday weekends can even influence moderate drinkers, whose consumption tends to increase as well.
When people gather with family and friends, they are more likely to over consume alcohol. It is important to make sure you have a designated driver so you don’t hurt yourself or anyone else by getting behind the wheel of a car. If you are at your own home, consider using a delivery service for food and alcohol, so you don’t have to drive. If you have been charged, our DUI lawyer Burnham Illinois is here to help.
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence our DUI lawyer Burnham Illinois is here for you
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence in Burnham, IL, contact The MacNeil Firm. Our team of dedicated attorneys can help you fight your DUI charges and avoid serious consequences.
The MacNeil Firm provides the experienced criminal defense strategy that can help you protect the future of your career and your personal life. Our experienced team of family lawyers can protect your legal rights and possibly even have the charges against you drastically reduced or completely dismissed. Call today for a free consultation.
