Since 1884, the United States has observed Labor Day on the first Monday in the month of September. It’s a holiday meant to celebrate American labor, focusing on the social and economic achievements of workers across the country. Most workers get the day off, with pay, and celebrate the summer holiday with activities such as backyard barbeques, camping, swimming and parties. It’s meant to be a deserved day off after a summer of hard work.
Unfortunately, it can also be a holiday of accidents and mishaps depending on the responsibility of those celebrating. As with any holiday in America, alcohol is often involved at many Labor Day gatherings. After a day spent drinking, the worst decision made is the one to get behind the wheel to drive home. Year after year, horrible car accidents and hundreds of DUI arrests seem to go hand in hand with Labor Day. Last year, over 600 DUI citations were given out in Arizona over the long weekend.
For Labor Day 2014, the last thing you want is to spend your time in a hospital or a jail cell. There are some things you can do to prepare yourself for a safe and fun holiday weekend avoiding trouble and injury. Here are just a few:
Know who your designated driver will be.
If you already know that you will be drinking at a friend’s house or at the lake, plan for a designated driver now. Find out who else will be attending and who else will be drinking. Waiting until you’re already at the party may be too late. Don’t attempt to make important judgments such as who should be driving you and your family home when your decision-making abilities may not be at their strongest.
Keep the phone number of a taxi company handy.
Most people don’t realize that they’ve had too much to drink until it’s too late. You may drink a reasonable amount of alcohol and still feel fine to drive home. But the effects of alcohol have a way of sneaking up on you. Have a taxicab company’s phone number on you when you’re drinking. That way, you’re covered no matter what. Even if the effects of drinking start to creep up on you at the last minute, you can avoid going to jail or to the hospital by just picking up the phone and calling a cab.
Use public transportation.
Public transportation may not be the most convenient or sexiest ride home, but it’s definitely safe. Take a bus or use Phoenix’s light rail system to get you where you need to go. It may even help you to plan your Labor Day weekend activities by choosing destinations that are close to public transportation stops.
Always remember to ask for a lawyer.
In the worse case scenario, if you are pulled over for suspicion of DUI or find yourself involved in an accident caused by DUI, don’t forget your rights. The best thing you can do is to stay quiet except to ask for an attorney. The more you talk, the more you will incriminate yourself. Law enforcement agents are trained to ask specific questions that will work against you if you answer them. Prepare yourself by knowing your rights and understanding best practices for when you’re pulled over.
At Naegle & Crider Criminal Defense Attorneys, we’ve put together some helpful information in our free DUI Guide. You can request yours by clicking here. We recommend that you review it before Labor Day. Be prepared…it could be the difference between life and death.