Springtime in Southwest Florida means the season is in full swing! Snowbirds, spring breakers and spring training enthusiasts will all be flocking to Southwest Florida for some fun in the sun! As more drivers take to Florida roadways, the decision to drive under the influence increases as well as the odds of getting arrested for a DUI. Here’s what you should be doing if you’re going out for a night on the town, attending a spring training game or spending time at any of the other popular Southwest Florida destinations:
Don’t drink and drive. That one is common sense. Have a designated driver or take advantage of other transportation services such as Uber, Lyft or a taxi. Simple, right?
Make sure to eat something while you’re out drinking. It will help slow down the intake of alcohol into your system. When you drink on an empty stomach, the alcohol is absorbed more quickly and your blood alcohol content (BAC) rises at a faster rate than if you are eating. Have some pretzels or other appetizer foods and spread out the alcohol so you don’t end up with that dreaded 0.08 percent BAC.
Follow traffic laws. While you should always follow the law, follow it even closer if you’ve had a bit to drink. Don’t forget to use your signal light when changing lanes and stick to the speed limit.
Stay focused on the task of driving. Although you may be able to hold a phone conversation and switch radio stations when you’re sober, don’t do it if you’ve been drinking. Your reaction time is slower, and you need all of your concentration on the road to avoid even small swerves.
Enjoy springtime in the sunshine state, but do so responsibly. Plan ahead, designate a driver or call a ride service – it is much cheaper than a DUI arrest. But if that happens, we’re here for you!
