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Summer Drinking and Driving Don’t Mix

By stladmin on July 18, 2019

Summer is finally here, and now we can enjoy all the benefits the sunny and warm season has to offer. The kids are out of school, and people are taking trips to the lake, having pool parties, barbecues, picnics, and more! Though these activities are a great way to take a load off and spend much-needed quality time with friends and family, many summer activities also involve alcohol consumption.

Though the majority of people consume alcohol in a safe and responsible manner, there are occasions when even the most careful among us overindulge. We here at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., know that summer drinking and DUIs shouldn’t mix, so we want you to be safe if you are going to drink at your barbecues and other events. Here’s what you should know.

Alcohol Can Impair Driving Ability and Judgment

When drinking alcohol, individuals are inclined to make riskier and more dangerous choices than they would have otherwise. It also slows a person’s reaction time, and dulls the senses. This makes getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle incredibly dangerous to both the drinker and those around him. Driving any motor vehicle involves a great deal of focus combined with an awareness of surroundings, and your attention to detail can be impaired by alcohol consumption.

Aside from endangering yourself, other drivers, and pedestrians, driving under the influence can also result in you getting arrested and charged with a DUI.

If You Plan to Drink, Use Rideshare or a Designated Driver

If you plan on having a few drinks with friends, it is a good idea to consider other transportation options. Luckily, in this day and age, it’s much easier to get a ride than it ever has been in the past. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient and easy way to get from point A to point B without having to get behind the wheel yourself.

If that doesn’t work for you, consider using a good old-fashioned designated driver. It’s is a tried-and-true method to avoid a DUI and keep you safe.

If You are Pulled Over, Remember Your Rights

In Wyoming, if it appears you may be impaired behind the wheel of a car or truck, you can be pulled over by law enforcement. The first thing the officer will ask for is proof of your driver’s license, auto insurance, and vehicle registration. You’re required to carry these things in a vehicle in Wyoming, so you must give the officer the requested documents. However, you do have the right to remain silent and you are not required to verbally answer any question that the officer asks you. What you tell an officer can be used against you in a future case.

If the officer believes you may have been drinking or are under the influence, you may be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test, a urine test, or even a blood test. You may be able to choose which test to take. However, you will not have a choice if the officer suspects you’re under the influence of drugs. Keep in mind that a breathalyzer test can be completed on the spot, while blood and urine tests will require you to go to the police station.

It usually does not help you to refuse to take a blood, breath, or urine test when you are pulled over.  In Wyoming, if you are charged with DUI and refuse to take a sobriety test, you may receive harsher penalties if convicted.

Summer is a time for fun, but being accused of drunk driving can forever alter your life. If you are facing alcohol-related charges in Wyoming, you need a tough legal team in your corner to protect your rights. The trial attorneys at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., have a proven track record of success defending clients against DUI charges. Call (307) 257-7800 to schedule a free consultation with a Gillette DUI defense attorney today.

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