Drunk driving is fairly common in the UK, with more than 90,000 people convicted every year. However, it does carry a lot of stigma, so you can find yourself with heavy penalties, if you fall foul of the law.

If you drink and drive, it's important for you to know that you will get caught. It might not happen today, and it might not happen tomorrow, but eventually, it will happen, and when it does, it can turn your whole world upside down. The fact is, law enforcement are stepping up DUI enforcement efforts all across the country like never before, and there are a number of key things that officers look for when seeking out drunk drivers, including:

Operating a motor vehicle is a big responsibility. Traffic jams, car accidents, inclement weather, and even the darkness after sunset can wreak havoc on the roads. When you add alcohol or other intoxicating substances into the mix, driving safely is just about impossible.

Vacations are meant to be a time of fun and enjoyment. Unfortunately, this enjoyment has led many people to end up with DUI charges. A DUI conviction is a serious matter that can affect a person’s job, car insurance, family life and even their freedom. Many people know of the hassles that can accompany getting a DUI charge in their own state, but most are unprepared for what occurs if they are arrested for drinking and driving while on vacation in another state. Getting a DUI in a different state is going to be a hassle no matter what, but there are five ways to make the process go by more smoothly.

Don’t Refuse Breathalyzer

Every state has implied consent laws. These laws state that if a person is going to legally drive in a state, they have given their implied consent to submit to alcohol chemical tests. If a person declines this test, the state where they are arrested will automatically assume they were drunk and immediately suspend their license. A person’s home state will receive notice of this suspension, and in most cases that home state will suspend the person’s license as well. It is better for a person to fight a DUI after the fact than to have the DMV automatically revoke their driving privileges.

Get out of Jail

Getting out of jail quickly is important when on a vacation. Waiting for a judge to set a bail amount can make a person miss their flight, their ride home or even just the remainder of their vacation. Most localities have DUIs listed on their bail schedule; this means there is a preset bail amount to get out of jail on this charge. It is often best to call a bail bond agency due to the fact that they can get a person out of jail in a matter of hours for a fraction of the actual bail amount.

Decide How to Handle the Charge

A person has the choice to either plead guilty or not guilty to the DUI charge. Pleading guilty will save the hassle of a trial, but it also brings the possibility of jail time, license suspension and fines. If a person pleads guilty to a DUI in Pennsylvania, there isn’t much a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney can do for them. It is often better to plead not guilty, as the consequences are very likely the same if a person is found guilty after trial.

Contact a Lawyer

It is always advisable to have a lawyer before pleading not guilty, especially when charged with a DUI while on vacation. A lawyer can attend many court appearances in lieu of the accused. Staying with the Pennsylvania example, a Philadelphia DUI attorney will also know the best defenses against a DUI charge in a state. In the end, having an attorney in the state a person was charged in will save them the hassle of having to repeatedly come back for trial dates.

Follow All the Rules

After being released after a DUI charge, there usually isn’t any law restricting a person from going back to their home state. In these cases, however, a person may have to come back for trial. Having a lawyer will greatly reduce the chances of this, but some courts may still require the accused to show up for some dates. Any date or rule that a court sets forward should be strictly followed. Not obeying the orders of the judge can lead to bench warrants or additional charges being filed, which will only make matters worse.

DUI convictions can overturn a person’s entire life. It is hard enough to deal with these charges when a person lives in the town they were arrested in, but when they are arrested several states away from their home, a whole other set of complications arises. It is important for a person to know how the legal system works and to use it to their advantage whenever possible. An out-of-state DUI charge can be a hassle, but it can be managed if handled appropriately.

Krista Langford is a researcher and a contributing writer for the Pennsylvania law office of Steven E. Kellis. Mr. Kellis has twenty years of jury trial experience, and he will personally handle your case. This law firm specializes in drunken driving, field sobriety tests, and breath, blood and urine test refusal.   

Memorial Day Weekend is Here, Don’t Contribute to the Crash Statistics

There are some processes you examine in how to avoid a DUI. First is to avoid all behavior that could ever lead up to poor judgment that would put you in this position. Common sense is imperative.


Do you have a problem with alcohol? Have you had experiences in your life where you drank too much? Intelligent decisions are necessary if you have a past riddled with excess alcohol consumption. It is a problem for many people.



Addictions are common and most of us have one or the other. Genetic predisposition could be the culprit that pushes you to the edge of no return when you start drinking. Peer pressure, low self-esteem, and wanting to fit into the crowd all add to the reasons your better judgment is attacked.



So what are your choices for an action plan to avoid being charged with drunk driving? Simple. Don’t drink! Easier said than done? You can come out the winner. You will need to pull from the bottom of your soul, make a decision and go for it. It is a great feeling to set a goal and reach it.


Keep a soft drink or sparkling water in your hand. You can ask to have piece of fruit or garnish, and no one will know the difference other than you. You can make it a game. Your goal is to enjoy yourself and not drink. Go for it.



Suppose you enjoy drinking but don’t have a problem where you can’t stop? Before you leave for the evening, you make a plan. A two-drink limit is the norm to shoot for. But, you also put within this plan, a fail-safe.


Ask a friend to work with you. You don’t want to pick someone who is going to be hanging over your shoulder, but you want someone you can trust and take this request seriously. This person will revert to your designated driver if you drink over two drinks.



Each state has statutes legislating what the safe limit for alcohol is. Know your state’s alcohol limits. Your individual tolerance, drinking on an empty stomach, under stress, or just not thinking clearly can put you into a position where you receive ticket driving under the influence of alcohol that will impact your life in numerous areas. It is not worth it.


Let’s look at Washington State. The Pacific Northwest is one areas of the country that has more microbreweries and a huge selection of beer that people find appealing and compelling. The BAC, or Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or up within 2 hrs of being stopped for drinking under the influence honors the state law of a test using a breathalyzer or blood draw. The state statute is very comprehensive. You still could be charged. If you choose not to correct your behavior, with repeated offenses, the penalties are increased. Is it worth it? You can impact your family, your career, and the people around you. You could loose your life or cause the death of an innocent person. Check the state statue you live in and know the law. Approach your drinking intelligently.



There is an old proverb that the man takes a drink, the next few minutes the drink takes a drink, and then before you know it, the drink takes the man. Make sense?



You may find yourself in a situation that left you no time to prepare a plan for the evening. In that case, you will need to be diligent and watch your behavior as well as the behavior of the bartender. Keep aware of what is going on around you. And then you make a decision to do something that may be really out of the ordinary. Walk home. Sound strange? May be difficult. Drinking to far from home? Call a taxi. Whatever you spend on the taxi is an insurance policy not to be looking into the face of a police officer.



Alcohol causes our body to dehydrate. Keep your car with a few bottles of water. If you get into the car, start drinking the water. Your BAC will be reduced slightly because the water will enhance the process of alcohol.



Never go out to a venue that serves alcohol without eating first. Food in your stomach will help process the alcohol faster. This is not rocket science and you know that drinking and then driving is a mistake that could lead to severe consequences.



So to sum it up, let’s look at preventative measures.



1. If you have a problem with alcohol, don’t go, and don’t drink.

2. Study the state statute on Blood Alcohol Content and know what limits are set that could lead to disaster.

3. Set a plan for the evening. Limit to 2 drinks or 3 at the most.

4. Assign a buddy to help you achieve your plan.

5. If you get into a situation where you have no plan, walk home. This is a fail-safe you can always deploy.

6. Drink water to keep hydrated. Keep it in the car.

7. Never go out without eating first if you are having a few drinks.



How to avoid a DUI is at times inconvenient, but having legal issues as the result of inappropriate behavior and lack of common sense is worse. The safest way is not to drink at all, and then you don’t have to worry about a plan. Drinking at home is always a good option. Good luck. We have choices to make. Make good ones.