A Reminder About Drunk Driving and the Super Bowl for PA Drivers
The Super Bowl is America’s most popular national sporting event. This year, millions of people across the country will gather with friends and family to socialize and watch the game. Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday is also one of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous days on the road as a result of drunk driving.
More alcohol-related accidents, DUI-related injuries and fatalities occur on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the year, with the exception of New Year’s. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), more than two-thirds of Super Bowl Sunday traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers.
Montgomery County, PA Participates in National DUI Avoidance Program
This year, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with support of the National Football League (NFL), has joined forces with Montgomery County, PA local highway safety and law enforcement officials to spread an important safety message to the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Alcohol-related crashes and fatalities in our area can be prevented. Pennsylvania Super Bowl fans should make responsible arrangements to designate a sober driver this Super Bowl Sunday to avoid an alcohol-related car accident and/or a DUI conviction. The Pennsylvania State Police, along with several other local police departments in Montgomery County, PA, will be out to stop those who choose to drink and drive on Super Bowl Sunday. Both local and state police will be substantially increasing the number of officers on duty to be on the lookout for PA motorists driving under the influence. Hundreds of extra officers will be monitoring the roads and conducting DUI checkpoints statewide.
The PA DUI Law | Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Law
In Pennsylvania, drinking and driving remains a top safety issue for law enforcement officials. As a result, a DUI conviction in PA will result in serious penalties, which can include the loss of your driver’s license, a criminal record, significant fines, drug and alcohol counseling, ignition interlock, and jail time.
The PA DUI Law sets forth 3 levels of impairment that affect the severity of the penalties imposed upon conviction:
- General Impairment: BAC .08 - .099%
- High: BAC .10 - .159%
- Highest BAC .16 and higher
If you are issued a ticket or summons for DUI in Pennsylvania, you should be aware that severe penalties apply if you are convicted. For anyone charged with DUI in Pennsylvania, it is imperative that you contact an experienced PA DUI lawyer as soon as possible following your arrest.
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help You | Montgomery County, PA
An experienced PA DUI lawyer can educate you about your legal rights and discuss possible defense strategies with you, including the possibility of expungement of the DUI charge from your criminal record. Your DUI lawyer should consider such issues as the legality of your traffic stop, whether the police had credible proof of your intoxication, and the accuracy of blood and/or breath tests.
Pennsylvania state and county authorities have been trained to take even first-time DUI charges very seriously, and the consequences that can be imposed are severe and long-lasting. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in Pennsylvania, your best opportunity for success rests on whether you have an experienced PA DUI lawyer on your side.
The Martin Law Firm provides comprehensive and skilled legal representation for those charged with DUI in Montgomery County, PA and other surrounding counties. Your initial consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable PA DUI lawyer is free of charge. At The Martin Law Firm, we will do everything we can to minimize the negative impact of this unfortunate situation in your life. We are experienced in all aspects of Pennsylvania DUI law, and we regularly assist clients with DUI and DUI-related matters in the PA courts.
Jason B. Martin is a Pennsylvania attorney and the founder of The Martin Law Firm, P.C., located in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, PA. Visit our home page to view our practice areas, and contact The Martin Law Firm today for a free consultation.