Summer is almost officially here, and if you are like many Texans, you are looking forward to enjoying some fun times with friends and family this Memorial Day Weekend. No matter what type of excitement you have planned, you can take some steps to ensure that you and the people that you will be spending time with this weekend stay safe and avoid DWI and BWI charges.
One important thing that all people would be wise to remember is that Memorial Day weekend is a no-refusal weekend in many parts of the state. This weekend, law enforcement officers will take to the streets in large numbers in search of impaired drivers from approximately six in the evening on Friday until early Tuesday morning. If you are driving a vehicle and you get stopped by an officer who suspects that you are driving while intoxicated, you may choose whether to submit to roadside breath testing. If you refuse to participate in the breath test, the officer can then get a search warrant that enables them to take a blood sample over your objection.
The roads are not the only place where no refusal weekends are in effect. The Texas Department of Public Safety is well aware that many accidents that cause injuries and death occur on or near motorized watercraft during the summer months. It is also common knowledge that many of those injuries and deaths involve boaters who are intoxicated. For these reasons, patrols will be located on and near some of the popular spots for water recreation throughout the state this weekend. Game wardens also use holiday weekends to look for boating safety issues, so be sure to avoid attracting unnecessary attention to your watercraft by operating it in a safe and responsible manner.
Planning ahead for a safe ride home after a party or another event is a great way to avoid getting a DWI during the upcoming holiday weekend. If the party is at your place, there are additional things that you can do to help your guests make responsible choices and avoid drinking and driving. Encouraging guests to select a designated driver is a tried and true strategy for making sure that everyone gets home safely. Some people don’t drink alcohol, but they still enjoy going to parties, so finding a designated driver is not always as hard as one might think it would be. Paying for taxi fares is another alternative. Having plenty of delicious food, nonalcoholic beverages, and fresh, cold water available can help your guests balance out their alcohol intake. The aforementioned tried and true strategies for preventing drunk driving work, and there are some suggestions are even more fun and creative, such as offering tents, bedding, and other amenities to guests who are interested in camping overnight instead of driving home after the party. Checking in with guests as they are leaving and helping them to find an alternative way home if they seem intoxicated is a thoughtful gesture that will help your guests stay safe and avoid the financial and other life altering impacts of a DWI conviction.
Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Experienced Support for DWI Defendants
If you are facing DWI charges, experienced Texas DWI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra may be able to help you resolve your DWI case. To learn more, call (903) 753-7499.