It’s that time of year again, in Texas and throughout the country. College students are gearing up for spring break. For many, this includes traveling to the beach or other touristy areas for fun in the sun and lots of R&R. It’s a time of year for partying, which often includes alcoholic beverages. If you’re a college student, the last thing you want is to face DUI charges that can not only disrupt, but perhaps ruin your college career.
Setting personal boundaries is the key to drinking responsibly and avoiding a DUI arrest, not only during spring break but throughout the rest of the year, as well. If someone is trying to coerce you into disregarding your personal boundaries, you might want to find someone else to party with, because that type of influence often leads to trouble.
Minimize your DUI risk with these personal boundary safety tips
Keeping the suggestions shown in the following list in mind can help you avoid DUI problems during spring break:
- Abstain from alcohol if you’re going to get behind the wheel.
- Never leave your beverage unattended.
- Make your own drinks or, at least, watch a bartender make them.
- Drink water and eat food at regular intervals when consuming alcohol.
- If you consume alcohol, arrange for safe transportation.
Remember that the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 in most states. However, impairment may set in that affects your driving even before your BAC has reached that level.
Consider these issues to improve spring break safety
Studies show that environment affects alcohol tolerance. In fact, if you’re in a new or unfamiliar environment, you might start to feel the effects of alcohol (i.e., a buzz) sooner than you normally would. Also, if you’re at the beach or another location where the weather is hot, you can easily become dehydrated, especially if you’re drinking alcohol but not drinking water as well.
Alcohol doesn’t always make you “feel drunk.” Sometimes, it makes you feel groggy and tired, which also places you at risk of a motor vehicle collision. You can hopefully reduce the chances of an accident and avoid the police pulling you over by implementing some of the safety tips mentioned in this post.
What to do if a DUI arrest occurs
Even with the best of intentions, things go wrong sometimes. If you somehow end up driving after consuming alcohol during spring break, and a Texas police officer pulls you over, remain calm. Do not argue or act in a confrontational manner because that will surely make matters worse. If you are taken into custody and DUI charges are filed against you, the best thing you can do is seek experienced legal support right away. Doing so may help you mitigate your circumstances and keep the situation from ruining your college career.