Every year hundreds of people die in over long weekends after drunken partygoers turn to the roads. Understandably, the government has responded through increased police presence, DUI checkpoints and other initiatives throughout those weekends.
The side effect of these weekends is more than just a rash of DUI charges. It also means millions of dollars in income for the states. And, in these attempts to keep unsafe drivers off the road, the police charge many people who have drank but are safe to drive.
Some things to know during a DUI stop
First, you should know that most major holidays, including Labor Day, the Fourth of July and Halloween, typically have some form of increased police presence. In 2016, checkpoint stops led to over 8,000 DUI charges. These are days when, if you choose to drink, it is wise to have a designated driver—even if you only have a beer or two over lunch.
You should also know that North Carolina has an implied consent law. This means that if you refuse to take a breath alcohol test after a police offer requests one, you may face legal consequences, including license suspension.
North Carolina has one of the highest DUI arrest rates in the nation
North Carolina has the seventh-highest per capita arrest rate, meaning that for every 100,000 arrests, over 500 will be DUI arrests. Many of these arrests are disputable. If you work with an attorney who understands the science behind breath tests, the chances of you successfully challenging a charge are much greater.