10 Tips to Prevent a Labor Day DUI in Phoenix

Lerner & Rowe Law Group
Labor Day DUI

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, traditionally marks the end of summer with a long, laidback holiday weekend—a weekend that may include camping, boating, cookouts, and maybe drinking a few too many brews. Because of its celebratory nature, this holiday also historically sees an escalation of drunk driving arrests, making it one of the busiest days of the year for law enforcement. 

Don’t let your last summer hurrah end in the back of a police car—learn more about drunk driving prevention and what to do if you’ve been charged with a Labor Day DUI from the Phoenix DUI lawyers at Lerner and Rowe Law Group.

Avoiding a Labor Day DUI in Phoenix

Any amount of alcohol in your system can affect your judgement, depth perception, and motor skills—all of which are essential to safely operate a vehicle. If you know that you’ll be drinking over the long weekend, you can plan ahead to ensure that you don’t become another DUI statistic this year. Check out these ten strategies to avoid getting a Labor Day DUI in Phoenix:

  1. The easiest, most effective way to avoid a DUI? Don’t drink and drive, period.
  2. Set a limit on how much you will consume before you start drinking, then stick to your limit.
  3. Pace your alcohol consumption by having a glass of water between each drink, which will keep you hydrated. It’s all too easy to become dehydrated in the Phoenix heat, which can also exacerbate the effects of alcohol and its impact on your judgment, motor skills, etc.
  4. Have a healthy meal before drinking, which will help to slow your body’s absorption of alcohol. 
  5. Have a sober driver already designated to take you home after drinking.
  6. Prepare for the unexpected. If you didn’t plan on drinking or your designated driver ends up drinking, call a friend, taxi, or rideshare to pick you up.
  7. Sleep at a friend’s house or stay at a nearby hotel for the night if it’s late and you’re still impaired or too tired to drive.
  8. Hand over your keys to a trusted friend before you start drinking to remove the temptation to drive.
  9. Don’t drive after consuming medical marijuana or other drugs. Even if you have a valid prescription, if the medication in question compromises your judgment behind the wheel, you can still be arrested and charged with a drug DUI
  10. Leave your alcohol on the shore. Drinking while operating a boat can result in boating under the influence (BUI) charges, which also carry stiff penalties in Arizona. 

What To Do If You’re Pulled Over On Labor Day

The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) while driving in Arizona is 0.08 percent, but it is still possible to be charged with DUI even if your BAC is under the limit, thanks to Arizona’s zero tolerance policy. Because Labor Day is a known drinking holiday, Phoenix law enforcement officials often set up DUI checkpoints throughout the holiday weekend in an effort to crack down on impaired driving.

If you’re pulled over by the police on suspicion of drunk driving, remember your rights and always remain courteous and cooperative. Here’s what you should do in the event that you are stopped at a Labor Day DUI checkpoint:

labor day dui
  • Provide police with your driver’s license and registration. Keep in mind that officers will be watching you during the stop for any perceived signs of intoxication.
  • Politely decline to answer any questions without first consulting a criminal defense lawyer.
  • Politely decline to participate in any field sobriety tests such as the walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, or handheld breathalyzer tests. Declining these tests will likely result in being arrested on suspicion of DUI on the spot, but can be a strategic choice since field sobriety tests are often designed to fail or less accurate than tests administered at the police station. 
  • Advise law enforcement you want to be released as soon as possible in order to obtain independent blood testing.

Charged With a Labor Day DUI? 

A DUI conviction can be a serious offense resulting in court fines and fees, community service, jail time, and probation. They can also show up during employment background checks and can remain on your motor vehicle record. If you’re facing a DUI or other criminal charges over the holiday weekend, turn to the experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorneys at Lerner & Rowe Law Group. 

Our experienced legal team offers free consultations and affordable payment plans to ensure you receive the representation that you deserve. Call us anytime day or night at 602-667-7777, speak with a representative using our LiveChat service, or send us a confidential message requesting your free case review. Contact us today!

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.