As Independence Day approaches, you can bet police and state troopers are preparing for DUI arrests. Every holiday there seems to be a spike. You may think you’re fine after a couple drinks in, only to be pulled over and discover you’re actually over the legal limit. How can you avoid a DUI? Below you’ll find some helpful tips.

Don’t Drink and Drive

First, this should be the most obvious. If you plan on drinking at all, prepare not to drive in order to avoid a DUI. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So plan ahead. If you know you’ll drink and then need transportation somewhere else, it’s better to be prepared going into it rather than feeling like your only choice is to drive yourself.

Know Your Limit

Second, it’s well known that the legal limit in New Jersey and most other states is a blood alcohol level of 0.08. But how do you know when you’ve crossed that line? Here’s a helpful chart. Remember: just because you don’t feel drunk, doesn’t mean you’re not over the legal limit. Blood alcohol level has NOTHING to do with how you feel. To avoid a DUI, it’s much better to go by the facts.

Call Uber or Lyft

Third, with cabs, public transportation, ride shares, and apps like Uber or Lyft, there really should be no reason for someone to feel like they need to drink and drive. Sure, having to go back to get your car the next day can be a hassle. Yet, the price for that is way cheaper than the price of a DUI.

There’s An App for That

Fourth, to avoid a DUI, several apps exist that can help you determine if you should drive. You shouldn’t rely on these apps for total accuracy, as they’re no substitute for a breathalyzer. But they may be able to give you some idea of whether you’ve drunk too much to drive, or at least educate you on how drinking can affect your coordination and judgment. Some of these apps include:

• Drive Sober: Several states including Wisconsin, Kentucky, Wyoming, Georgia and Alabama, offer this free app to help you estimate your blood alcohol level.
• DrinkTracker: This app keeps track of the user’s blood alcohol content based on the number of drinks consumed and a personal Breathalyzer simulator.
• Intoxicheck: Through the use of six challenges, this app measures an individual’s reaction times, memory, judgment and dexterity. The user first performs the tests while sober and then after having consumed alcohol to see the differences in results.
• BreathalEyes: The app tracks the eyes’ involuntary movements, mimicking the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test that police officers perform in the field.

Know the Law

Fifth, know your state’s laws. For example, in some states you can be arrested for a DUI even with a BAC under the legal limit, particularly if you have caused an accident. Furthermore, “sleeping it off” in a vehicle may also lead to a DUI in some states.

Didn’t Avoid a DUI? Call Mark Catanzaro

Lastly, if you’ve gotten a DUI and need legal representation, contact the Law Offices of Mark Catanzaro! He’s got the experience and courage to defend your case. A DUI charge is serious, so don’t delay!