Although the 4th of July falls on a Tuesday this year rather than the weekend, do not rule out the people enjoying a little extra partying, and the police setting up a few extra DUI checkpoints. As always, there will be many celebrations over the weekend. Then some people will have to go to work on that Monday, July 3rd, while others may get that day off. This means they would get a 4-day weekend. Work or no work on that 3rd, people are going to party hard anyway.

Anticipating a spike in alcohol consumption, the police will inevitably have more DUI checkpoints than normal. Some checkpoint locations will be announced beforehand, while others will pop up unexpectedly.

If you are driving and see a checkpoint up ahead, it actually is not illegal to make a u-turn to avoid the checkpoint, as long as you do so legally. The police at the checkpoint would not drive after you if they see you making a legal u-turn unless you are doing so erratically.

If you continue to drive on to the checkpoint, then you will follow the officer’s instructions of coming to a stop and answering basic questions such as “where are you coming from,” “where are you headed,” “have you been drinking tonight,” and if yes, “how much have you had to drink?” Not only is the officer listening to your answers, they are observing your pupils for signs of redness or dilation. They are listening to how you deliver your answers and are using their nose to identify any alcohol on your breath. In addition to observing you, the officer is also observing your vehicle in case you have passengers, alcohol, or other illegal contraband. This is not a detailed search. They are only quickly scanning what is in plain view. If you check out with the officer, you will be free to leave the checkpoint to drive on to your destination. If the officer concludes that you have been driving under the influence, they will arrest you.

In California, a first-time DUI offense can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This price includes insurance spikes, your impounded car, retaking a driver’s course, and more. Had you been in an accident because you were driving under the influence, that cost would increase drastically to cover vehicle repairs and hospital bills. Getting a sober driver like a Lyft or Uber would only cost you a few bucks. They would have no problem if they came across a DUI checkpoint while driving you home.

Wherever you plan on celebrating America’s birthday this year, plan how you will be getting home at the end of the night ahead of time. Either arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up, designate a sober driver, or call for an Uber or Lyft.

This way, you do not have to worry about driving yourself home safely because someone else will already have that covered. DUI checkpoints will not be your problem!

In California, driving under the influence is not the only illegal alcohol and vehicle act, but it is the most known. It carries the most serious penalties. It is also very much worth knowing other alcohol and driving related laws, especially the “open container” laws for California.

For drivers who are 21 years or older, it is legal to drive a vehicle with an unopened container of alcohol in the car, even if it is in the front seat. An unopened container must be absolutely sealed, never opened. So, a sealed bottle of wine never uncorked, a sealed bottle of liquor with the cap never twisted off, and an unopened can of beer, are legal to have in the front seat of the car. Any alcoholic beverages that have been opened must be placed in the trunk of the car.

If a driver is caught with a bottle of liquor that has been opened but is currently closed at the time they are pulled over, and they prove they have not been drinking, they are still breaking the law.

That opened bottle must be in the trunk. However, the police may let the driver go with a warning, rather than a ticket. It is their call. The best chance for a driver being let off with a warning is for him or her to remain polite and respectful, prove they are indeed sober, and promise not to let it happen again. If the driver is cited, he or she is given an infraction and will have to pay a fine of $250.

For drivers who are younger than 21, consequences are harsher. After all, the legal drinking age is 21. Underage individuals face misdemeanor criminal charges that include a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail.

The easiest way to make sure you are transporting alcohol legally in your vehicle, is to simply put it in your trunk, even if the alcohol container is sealed. If your trunk is cluttered with clothes and bags, put that extra clutter in your backseat.

A police officer is less likely to pull you over if they see a bunch of clothes in the backseat of your vehicle rather than bottles of alcohol.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles conducted a study last year that showed a very interesting trend: more women are being arrested in Orange County and California as a whole for drinking and driving, particularly those in the 21-35 and 51+ age group. For men, DUI-related arrests have decreased. This trend is the same in other states like Missouri and New York.

Though there is no definitive reason behind this trend, there are a few possibilities:

1. California is cracking down on people who are driving under the influence, and more women are mixing drugs with their alcohol. They may not be drunk, but they are intoxicated.
2. More women are working today than years before, meaning more women are independent, are earning their own living, can drive cars, and delay building a family so they can launch a career. They also go out and socialize with friends and enjoy a drink or two.

If you are arrested for a DUI in California, you can face jail time and a fine. Additionally, if you wish to bail out of jail until court, your bail would be set somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000, or even more, if the crime was very significant.

Santa Ana Bail Bond Store can help you pay bail with a bail bond. Instead of you paying the full bail amount to the court, you would pay Santa Ana Bail Bond Store 10% of the bail, and we will take care of the rest. To ensure all goes smoothly and to prevent you from paying any more, you are required to appear in court when you are asked to. Otherwise, you will have to pay the rest of the bail.

Visit our website to learn more, or call 714-973-2245.