Holiday DWI? You are not alone. Steps to Survive DWI Season.

Thanksgiving to Christmas increases the risk of being arrested for DWI.  Thanksgiving Eve is unofficially the busiest night for bars in the year.  The holiday season is a busy time for travel and increased social drinking.

Whether you are attending an office party, seeing family or seeing old friends.  It is important to know that the police view this time of year as "DWI Season."

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), deaths from drinking and driving spike around the holidays, with alcohol being blamed for about 52 percent of fatal collisions on Christmas and 57 percent on New Years compared to a rate of 41 percent for the entire year. In addition to the more than 1,200 alcohol-related deaths that will occur on the road this holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 25,000 people will be injured.
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Federal traffic safety data reveals the death toll per day due to drunk driving is significantly higher during the holiday seasons compared to the rest of the year.  According to a report by the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 40 percent of traffic-related fatalities during Christmas and New Year’s are linked to drunk driving. This is a whopping 12 percent higher than the rest of the month of December.

Steps to Protect Yourself and Others

1. If you drink, don't drive. Zero tolerance means no arrests.
2. Plan ahead and have a designated driver or arrange for a ride before going out.
3. Always be polite to police, but decline to provide evidence by declining voluntary field tests and making admissions. 
4. When driving, be cautious and watch for the erratic movements of potential drunken drivers.
5. If you are charged contact a DWI lawyer immediately.

Leonard D. Harden is an experienced trial lawyer focusing solely on DWI and criminal defense cases in Northern New Hampshire. Attorney Harden is the only lawyer in Coos County that handles criminal defense exclusively. His in-depth knowledge and zealous handling of each DWI case set him apart. Attorney Harden has over 20 years of experience in criminal law and a successful track record in defending clients.
A DWI conviction can have serious repercussions on your life. If you have been charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DUI or DWI) in New Hampshire, it is important that you contact Attorney Harden immediately, 603-788-2080.