Whether it is Christmas, New Year’s, St. Patrick’s Day or the Fourth of July, holidays provide opportunities for people to increase their alcohol consumption.
Unfortunately, people also drink and drive. Binge drinking is a problem and a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) over a holiday weekend is common.
Binge drinking background
Binge drinking is generally defined as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in succession for men or four in succession for women over about two hours. Binge drinking is common among college students. However, any party atmosphere may cause someone who does not know his or her limits to over-imbibe.
What to do
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that a variety of injuries and chronic conditions can result from drinking too much too fast. Police departments advise moderation. Either spacing out one drink per hour or consuming a lot of water between drinks will allow the body’s metabolic system to process alcohol appropriately. It is also sensible to celebrate any holiday or special occasion with a sober friend or designated driver instead of getting behind the wheel and risking an accident or DUI charge.
A look ahead
People enjoying a holiday celebration, including binge drinkers, may not know that Virginia has strict penalties for drunk driving, such as mandatory time behind bars. However, mistakes happen, both in administrative procedures and in terms of breath or blood testing. An arrest for DUI immediately sets the wheels in motion for a close examination of the circumstances. While a charge of driving under the influence is not uncommon, especially over a long holiday weekend, a strong defense will generate the best outcome possible for a DUI case.
