The statistics are pretty clear. Year after year, reports from numerous consumer groups show that the holiday season is a big time for drinking, and consequently, DUIs. Drunk driving is so prevalent during the holidays that law enforcement officials increase their efforts and the number of checkpoints every year.

How Bad are the Numbers?

Scram Systems, the manufacturer of high-end alcohol detection and monitoring devices, released a report showing that the rate of DUI violations increases by 33% every Christmas and 155% every New Years. Likewise, the report suggests that as many as 96% of all people surveyed admitted to either going to work hung-over following a holiday party or they knew someone who did. Finally, the report states a startling statistic: of the 90 million Americans who travel every Christmas, one in eight claims to have driven under the influence of alcohol in the past year.

If true, this means approximately 11.2 million Americans drive drunk at some point each year, especially during the holidays!

How to Stay Safe and Sober this Year

While it is hard to verify the statistics presented by many sources, there is no doubt that people drink more during the holidays. People let down their guard and enjoy the festivities. Staying sober is one option to avoid a DUI. Another is to drink at home or get a cab. In more rural areas it can be more costly and challenging to find suitable taxi services. One site provides a terrific cost estimator to help you figure out the cost of a cab from your location to wherever you want to go. But rather than waiting until you are intoxicated and suffering from impaired judgment, plan ahead.

Share the Fare

One of the neatest ways to meet people in the city and be safe at the same time is to reach out to others and find people to split the cost of a cab. Many cities, including Spokane, have party bus companies that will drive you around town from bar to bar. You can gather a group of friends and make a night of it. In fact, for singles, there are many group events that include the cost of transportation and an itinerary. In short, there are a lot of options for those who plan ahead.

What to Do if Busted

If you made the wrong choices and find yourself facing thousands in fines, impound fees, and a likely loss of your license, then you need aggressive representation by an experienced Spokane DUI lawyer. Many people are arrested for DUI for sleeping in their vehicle drunk. Some are even arrested while getting into their car. In some cases, they had no intention of driving drunk but were only retrieving something from the car. Remember, an arrest does not equal guilt. You have rights. If you believe you were charged for a crime you did not commit, you should speak with an attorney right away.