If you're an avid football fan, you likely have some tailgating get-togethers scheduled for this fall. If you plan to consume alcohol during any tailgate party, your best bet is to take public transportation or arrange a designated driver. However, there are many football fans who consume alcohol and choose to drive — and this behavior can justifiably lead to a DUI arrest from the police who will be patrolling the area around the stadium during and after the game. Here are some plans that you should follow for avoiding a DUI arrest.
Set A Cut-Off Point
People commonly consume alcohol before and during football games, but it doesn't have to be this way. If you enjoy having some beer during a tailgate party, plan to cut off your drinking at a certain point. For example, if you're tailgating from 9 a.m. to noon, and the game will run from noon until around 3 p.m., you might wish to have some beers between 10 and 11 a.m. Provided that you drink responsibly and don't consume any more alcohol for the rest of the tailgate and game, you'll likely be safe to drive by 4 p.m. or so.
Ensure That Your Passengers Are Responsible
If you've only consumed a little bit of alcohol that is now out of your system and you feel safe to drive, you might be carrying some intoxicated football fans. Doing so helps to ensure that they get home safely, but you don't want them to increase your likelihood of being pulled over. Insist that any fan who gets into your vehicle leaves any open containers of alcohol behind; should a passenger sneak a bottle of alcohol into your car and a traffic stop occur, you could be cited for having an open container in your vehicle.
Don't Get Caught Up In The Excitement
The parking lots of football stadiums can often be wild places after games. Motorists may be honking their horns and revving their engines to celebrate their team's win. Sometimes, people will even do donuts in wide-open areas of the parking lot. It may be tempting to get caught up in the moment, but try to be on your best behavior while you're behind the wheel. Local police officers are increasingly vigilant to catch motorists who have been drinking, and the above behaviors can often suggest inebriation. Following the rules of the road is the best way to stay out of an officer's radar and get home safely. Remember, a DUI attorney like Winston C. Throgmorton, Attorney At Law can help you if you've been arrested for any driving offense in which alcohol may have been a factor.
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