Finally, December is here and Christmas is just around the corner, meaning adults and children alike can start getting excited about tearing open their gifts and enjoying some well-earned time off work during the Christmas holidays.
While Christmas is undoubtedly a joyous and cheerful time of year, statistics show a sharp increase in the number of ‘drink driving’ cases around this time of year. With many families and friends having get-togethers during their respective time off, many people have found themselves opting to have an alcoholic drink without forming a solid plan of how they’re going to make the journey home.
With increased taxi fares and chilly weather present around this time of year, climbing behind the wheel of a car to make the journey home is a mistake hundreds (if not thousands) of people make each year. While it may seem like a better alternative to the cold weather and hiked-up cab prices at the time, the danger it can put you and your passengers in is often underestimated.
The Dangers of Drink Driving at Christmas
Drink driving is incredibly dangerous as it is. With slowed reflexes and impaired vision, the driver’s stopping distance can increase significantly, meaning should the car in front of your vehicle brake suddenly, the chances of you hitting them from behind are much greater.
Next there is the lack of control of your vehicle. Drunk drivers are much more likely to swerve in their vehicle, rather than maintaining a steady course. Add this to the common icy conditions on the roads that come during the christmas season and you have a recipe for disaster, a car swerving on black ice can easily skid out of control, leading to the car entering oncoming traffic or other incredibly dangerous surroundings.
Another common mistake many motorists can make is getting behind the wheel of a vehicle the day after they have consumed alcohol. While you may feel considerably more ‘in control’ than you did whilst drinking the night before, there is still a good chance that you are over the legal limit. Not only is it wise not to drive during the same day or night of drinking, but it’s also a good idea to stay away from your vehicle during the next day too.
There are countless factors that make drink driving incredibly dangerous; add to this the added hazardous weather conditions that come during winter and it’s easy to see just how much of a risk driving when drunk is!
Help is at Hand
Hundreds of people can find themselves being prosecuted for drink driving during this festive season, and many can find themselves being severely punished for such actions.
While motoring offences such as drink driving rarely go unpunished, often the punishment for the crime can impact the driver’s dependents as well as themselves. The revocation of a driver’s licence for example could impact their children’s ability to safely travel to school and back, or impact an elderly relative’s ability to regularly make doctors appointments or receive care from the driver.
In circumstances like these, we are often able to help reduce a sentence, arguing ‘exceptional hardship’ to ensure those around the driver don’t suffer.
If you would like expert help and advice regarding an alleged drink driving case, call us today on 01244 344299 or use our online contact form to get the assistance you need.