Drunk Driving Concept – Beer, Keys And Handcuffs

What Are the Best DUI Prevention Steps?

DUI prevention is generally far more effective than DUI defense. Here are some steps to take to prevent being arested for driving under the influence. If you’ve already been arrested for drinking and driving, it’s important that you act as quickly as possible to retain experienced legal counsel.

Check Your BAC Before You Leave

Consider purchasing a small, affordable breathalyzer test that you can keep on hand and use when you’re unsure if you’ve consumed too much to test under the legal limit if you get stopped.

While many people think these are reserved just for police officers to use during traffic stops or by people convicted of DUI to prove they’re sober before driving, they have a lot of benefit for proactive use.

If you own a portable breathalyzer, you can simply check your BAC before starting your car to determine if it’s safe enough to drive home. If not, you can wait a little while if your BAC was only slightly over the legal limit, or if it’s much higher, you can hang up your keys and get a ride or stay over if that’s an option.

Keep Your Number of Drinks Low

If you plan on driving home after a fun night out, consider keeping the amount of drinks you consume low. Sip water in between drinks and don’t go over your personal limit. Eat a meal to help you metabolize the alcohol faster, and be aware of whether you’re drinking liquor, beer, or wine since each has a different Alcohol by Volume (ABV). If you go over your personal limit, have your backup plan at the ready.

Have Another Ride On Standby

It’s generally never a good idea to wait until the last minute to try and find a ride home when you’ve had a little too much to drink and you’re not in good shape to drive home after all. If you can, make a contingency plan to take an Uber home ahead of time and pick up your car the next day. Or, ask a friend (in advance). Even if you plan on drinking in moderation, having a backup plan is always smart.

Plan B: How to Get Legal Help If You Get Arrested

Arrested for drunk driving even if you weren’t driving drunk? It can happen. Make sure you get experienced legal help as soon as possible to protect your rights. Contact experienced Middletown, CT criminal defense lawyer J. Christopher Llinas now for a consultation at (860) 530-1781.

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Christopher Llinas

J. Christopher Llinas is a Connecticut criminal defense and immigration attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. He is the founder of Iron Chris Criminal Defense & Immigration, based in Middletown, CT. Chris earned his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law) in 1997 and holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in English from Salisbury University. During law school he served as a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law, and competed in moot court and trial advocacy programs. He began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, defending clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic matters. He later served as an Assistant State's Attorney, prosecuting criminal and traffic cases — giving him a firsthand understanding of how the prosecution builds its case. He has also served as a law clerk, legal aid attorney, and in-house corporate counsel before dedicating his practice to criminal defense and immigration. Chris is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Maryland, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His practice covers DUI and OUI defense, drug charges, weapons charges, violent crimes, juvenile matters, probation violations, federal criminal defense, and immigration removal proceedings throughout Connecticut.