As the end of August approaches and people prepare for Labor Day, it is viewed as the end of summer in Georgia. People try to get a last bit of enjoyment with family and friends. This can involve taking a quick vacation, going to an event or simply relaxing in a social setting.
Part of that can involve alcohol and other intoxicating substances. Law enforcement is aware of this and uses enhanced enforcement tactics to catch drivers who are under the influence. People should be aware of the possible consequences they will face if they are convicted of DUI and know what they can do to combat the charges.
Enforcement campaign meant to prevent DUIs
Georgia implemented its Hands Across the Border campaign to enforce DUI laws. It went into effect a week before Labor Day and extended beyond Georgia to surrounding states.
The objective was to catch drivers who are violating the law by operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above.
In the past, this has been a problem during Labor Day in Georgia. Between 2017 and 2021, approximately 30% of fatal auto accidents in the state involved a drunk driver. Sixty percent had a driver whose BAC was double the legal limit.
Given these numbers, it is no surprise that there is aggressive enforcement. Still, that does not mean that every driver who is stopped is guilty. Since law enforcement is actively looking for drivers who are committing a DUI, they might be overzealous in their traffic stops and investigations.
If the stop was not made for a good reason, the driver has a viable excuse for driving behaviors that might have indicated intoxication or the testing procedures to determine BAC were flawed, this can be used to mount a defense. These are just some of the avenues that can be explored.
There are strategies to fight DUI charges
Regardless of the circumstances under which a person was charged with DUI, it is imperative to know the ways the challenge the allegations. Since people can lose their driving privileges, be subjected to significant fines and even end up in jail, it is wise to know what can be done about these charges. This is particularly true during holiday weekends and when law enforcement openly states it is using an enforcement campaign to stop drivers for DUI.