Some trends related to the holidays are overall positive. Most people feel a desire to reconnect with their families and to observe family traditions during the holidays, which can be positive experiences. The major holidays see a change in interpersonal behavior, with people often becoming kinder and more generous during the holiday season.
Unfortunately, there are other noticeable trends as well. On certain holidays, drunk driving crashes are higher than normal. Police enforcement efforts tend to be higher around the holidays as well because of the known association between holiday celebrations and drunk driving collisions.
What holidays have the highest degree of risk for arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) offenses?
Bigger holidays see more enforcement efforts
The dates with the most drunk driving collisions every year fluctuate and shift. Some years, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have the highest rate of drunk driving crashes. Other years, the Fourth of July is statistically the most dangerous day for drunk driving collisions.
Regardless of which holiday poses the most risk given historical data and year-to-date crash trends, drivers can anticipate increased police presence on the roads on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as on the Fourth of July.
Labor Day and Memorial Day also see increased crash rates and enforcement efforts. Christmas sees less of an increase than other major holidays, but the potential for arrest may still be higher than average. Thanksgiving Day and the night before it tend to see many drunk driving arrests as well. St. Patrick’s Day also has a strong association with increased alcohol consumption and therefore increased drunk driving enforcement.
The weekend closest to those holidays is also likely to see a noticeable increase in law enforcement efforts to identify and arrest drunk drivers. Motorists can avoid enhanced scrutiny on those priority enforcement days by limiting how much they travel or relying on friends, family or rideshare services to reach their destinations on those high-risk days. Those swept up in enforcement efforts around the holidays may have a variety of defense strategies available to them.
Discussing the factors that may have contributed to a DUI arrest can help the driver plan the most reasonable defense strategy given their circumstances. Seeking legal guidance can help motorists facing charges related to holiday enforcement efforts potentially defend against the allegations they face and avoid a criminal conviction.