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DRINKING
HOW TO AVOID A DUI
Things you must do before you leave your house
voiding a DUI isn’t simply doing a single task. It’s a multi-faceted approach which, as a whole, diminishes your risks and your chances of getting a drunk driving arrest and conviction. What follows is part one of a multi-part series. Part one focuses on things to do before you leave your house and go to your place of drinking.
Before we start, I need to add a disclaimer. This isn’t legal advice. As with any legal matter, consult with an attorney. In addition, never drive drunk. Period. Too many lives have been lost to drunks who have no business ever being behind the wheel of a car.
The ideas presented are not designed to show you how to drive drunk and get away with it. If that’s your modus operandi, please go to the nearest high rise right now, and jump. By doing so, we will have undoubtedly saved many innocent lives. The ideas presented here are designed to instruct you on how to ensure you’re under the legal limit before you get behind the wheel of a car.
But above all, reading and following these steps will force you to think. You will become more conscious and aware of how drinking can impair you, and how to ensure you are under the legal limit before getting in to your car. The people who usually get in to trouble are those people who don’t think. Congratulations. You’re no longer one of them.
Now let’s get started.
Buy a Breathalyzer
A Breathalyzer is a portable hand-held device in which you blow, that measures your blood alcohol level. Many good breathalyzers can be purchased on-line. Buy a good one. In general, they’re priced based on their accuracy - the more expensive the unit, the more accurate the reading. For about $100 you can find a quality unit that is approved by the Department of Transportation. Do your research, buy one, and put it in your car.
This is a critical first step in your protection against getting a DUI. It could be the difference between going to jail and going home to sleep in your own bed.
Think about it: A $100 investment to avoid $10,000 in expenses and all of the time and hassles related to a DUI? Talk about a great return on an investment. Stop reading right now, go to the Internet, and purchase your Breathalyzer. It’s that important.
After you receive it, make sure you put it in your car. It does no good at home in a drawer. As a matter of fact, you should buy one for every car you own and keep it in there.
Search Your Vehicle for any Incriminating Items
Remember those empty beer cans that you threw in the back of your truck during your last fishing trip? How about that flask that you keep in your glove box, or in your golf bag in the trunk? Any remnants of marijuana in your ashtray? Any concealed firearms or knives? Now is a good time to go to your vehicle and get rid of any items that could be incriminating if you’re stopped. When a cop pulls you over, he’s trying to build a case against you. One of the ways he builds such as case is by simply looking inside your car for any evidence that you’ve been drinking. Don’t help him build his case against you.
What do you think your chances are of avoiding arrest if a cop walks up to your vehicle and sees several empty beer cans in the back of your truck; then sees a flask fall out of the glove box when you try and retrieve your registration; and shines his flashlight on what appears to be remnants of a marijuana cigarette in your ashtray? If you haven’t guessed already, the answer is that you’re probably going to jail just as soon as he can get his handcuffs on you.
Go clean out your vehicle now. Once again, don’t keep reading. Go to you car and do it now. You’ll thank me later.
Make Sure all of Your Headlights, Taillights, and Signals Work
Studies show that DUIs often result from a traffic stop for another reason. In other words, cops will often stop someone for a broken taillight or turn signal, then smell alcohol on the driver and end up arresting him for a DUI. Why give cops that advantage? Take the time before you go out and double-check your brake lights, turn signals, taillights, even your license plate light, and anything else that may attract unwanted attention. This entire process may take a couple of minutes maximum. But the payoff? – not getting a DUI – priceless!
Put a Tape Recorder in Your Car
Buy a small hand-held tape recorder and keep it in your car. Should you ever get stopped after drinking, this could be a very valuable piece of evidence. This is your record of the events that occurred. Sure, cops often record sound and video during their stops. However, it is not unheard of for those records to turn up edited at those precise moments that favor the citizen.
In addition, if you have a record of a cop making a mistake, your case could be thrown out. For example, imagine if a cop was caught on tape violating law or procedure. Your case would likely be dismissed or charges dropped. How valuable then does that make your tape recorder? That’s right – priceless!
Warning: be sure and check the laws in your state regarding recording another person with or without their knowledge. In general, you can record anyone, as long as they know they are being recorded. You don’t have to announce it to them. Simply put the recorder in plain view and turn it on. Go buy a recorder now, for each of your cars.
Use a Designated Driver
A cliché for sure. However, it is a simple and effective method for avoiding a DUI. Before you go out, decide who will be the driver. If it’s you, make sure you don’t drink, or drink very little. Don’t wait until it’s closing time at the bar before you select a designated driver.
Use Public or Other Transportation
Take a taxi. Ride a bus. Hitchhike. Walk. Ride a bike. Have your mother drop you off. Do anything. Just don’t drive to the bar.
Eat a Large Meal
Eating a large meal before going out will help slow the rate of absorption. It will not prevent you from becoming impaired or prevent the alcohol from being absorbed into your bloodstream. However, by slowing the rate of absorption, you will slow the rate at which you reach the legal limit for driving. In other words, you will be able to drink more, before you feel the effects. We’ve all had a drink on an empty stomach. You can feel the effects of the alcohol after you’ve downed the first cocktail. Eat before you go out, and slow your rate of intoxication. It could be the difference in going over the legal limit.
Drink a Lot of Water
Before you go out for the evening, drink several glasses of water. Again, this will not prevent the alcohol from getting into your system. But it will help slow the rate of absorption. Water also has the welcomed side effect of preventing or reducing the effects of a hangover.
By following all of these steps, you will greatly decrease your risks of getting a DUI. But in order to get the benefit, you must take the action.
Summary
- Buy a breathalyzer
- Search your car for any incriminating evidence
- Make sure all of your headlights, taillights, and signals work
- Put a tape recorder in your car
- Use a designated driver
- Take public transportation
- Eat a large meal
- Drink lots of water
©2008 www.realmanmag.com
How to Avoid A Drunk Driving Arrest and Conviction
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