It’s fun to meet up with friends for dinner and a few drinks, especially after a long work week. Your enjoyment can come to a screeching halt, however, if a Massachusetts police officer pulls you over for suspected drunk driving on the way home. Facing OUI charges can have many negative repercussions in life, which is why it’s best to take whatever precautions you can to avoid it.
It is not necessarily illegal to drink an alcoholic beverage and then get behind the wheel of a car to drive. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is .08 or higher, state law prohibits you from operating a motor vehicle. It’s important to remember, however, that your driving skills may become impaired before your BAC reaches the legal limit.
Plan ahead to avoid OUI
The easiest way to avoid OUI charges is, of course, to abstain from alcohol if you plan on driving. If you want to imbibe, it’s a good idea to arrange for safe (and lawful) transportation in advance. You might ask a trusted friend to act as a designated driver, which means that he or she agrees to abstain from alcohol and be the chauffeur for the group.
Sometimes, things don’t go the way you expect. Maybe you didn’t get a designated driver because you only planned on having one drink, but then you wound up having more. If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t think it’s safe (or lawful) to drive, you have several options. You can call a rideshare service to provide transportation or call a family member or friend to pick you up. You might consider asking the manager of the establishment if you can leave your vehicle on the premises overnight.
Dealing with unexpected issues
Things don’t always go as planned, and you might find yourself needing transportation to get home after a night out with friends when you have consumed alcohol. A lapse in judgement or assuming you’re okay to drive may result in legal problems. If a Massachusetts police officer pulls you over and instructs you to step out of the vehicle, it’s probably because you’re suspected of intoxication.
It’s important to know your rights. For example, you are under no obligation to take a roadside breath test or field sobriety test during a traffic stop. You do not have to answer any questions except to confirm your identity or proof of vehicle insurance and registration. If you’re taken into custody, you may (and should) request immediate legal support to help determine the best course of action, especially if someone files OUI charges against you.
