The 4th of July is notoriously one of the most dangerous days in regards to drunk driving – in fact, studies have shown that more drunk driving accidents occur on this day than even after New Year’s celebrations. The AAA and AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has reported that between 2000 and 2009, almost 40% of all fatalities that occurred from a motor vehicle accident on Independence Day involved a driver that had a BAC considered to be over the legal limit.
How does this translate in the Los Angeles area? Police are on high alert over the holiday weekend and sobriety checkpoints litter the area as law enforcement cracks down on possible perpetrators. For the California Highway Patrol, the Independence Day weekend is considered to be a Maximum Enforcement Period.
It has been reported that the Southern Division of the CHP made 226 DUI-related arrested this holiday weekend – 16 more than the year before. Beyond that, one fatal car wreck occurred, in comparison to the zero that occurred last year. Some blame this on the fact that the 4th of July fell on a Monday, which stretched the holiday weekend from two days to three days – providing perpetrators with another day to partake in alcohol-fueled celebrations.
If you have recently been criminally charged with drunk driving, you need to have a criminal defense attorney that is well-versed in DUI defense. Should you choose to contact a Los Angeles lawyer from Okabe and Haushalter, you will be able to be confident in our ability to provide you with high-quality and experienced assistance that you can trust. We know the ins and outs of the defense trade and we are fully prepared to do everything possible to help you protect your best interests. Call us today to learn more about how we will be able to help.