Every year we gather with our family and friends to bring in the New Year. We make New Years resolutions, share New Year’s kisses, and toast each other with our champagne-brimmed glasses, in hopes that all our dreams are realized. And then we continue our nights, drinking alcohol and engaging in the holiday festivities, until we either fall asleep at our host’s house, or drive home.
This past Christmas, CHP officers made more than “900 arrests” [1] related to drunken driving in California. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are infamous for having an even greater spike in DUI arrests. All too often people over-indulge themselves when they ring in the New Year, which sparks this increase in DUI arrests. Which is why finding a safe means of transportation is one of the most important matters you should arrange before going out for the night.
California’s Assembly Bill 711 is one solution the California government has voted into law to increase public safety. The bill will “authorize a beer manufacturer… to provide consumers free or discounted rides” while also prohibiting “conditioning a free or discounted ride,”[2] eliminating the possibility of manufacturers and businesses incentivizing their free and discounted rides. The bill is going into effect January 1st, 2018.
Until the Assembly Bill has taken effect, you can find free transportation with the Coaster in San Diego after 6 p.m., or call AAA tipsy tow, if your vehicle is within seven miles of your destination. Catching an Uber, Lyft, or taxi service to the event and back home is another avenue to explore when you’re planning a night out. The most comfortable way, however, is to establish a responsible designated driver within your group of friends.
Disclaimer: While we always seek to establish accuracy when publishing articles, this piece is not intended to provide legal advice, and should not be used as such. Each individual case will differ and should be discussed with an attorney or legal expert. If you would like to inquire about pursuing a claim against a drunk driver, please contact a San Diego injury lawyer at (858) 252-0781 or email brett@acclaimlaw.com
Resources
[1] Staff, K. (2017, December 26). Nearly 900 drunken driving arrests in California this holiday weekend. Retrieved from KTVU: http://www.ktvu.com/news/nearly-800-drunken-driving-arrests-in-california-this-holiday-weekend
[2] Assembly Bill No. 711. (2017, September 11). Retrieved from California Legislative Information: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB711
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