DUI Arrests May Increase During Thanksgiving in DuPage County

 Posted on November 24, 2020 in DUI

Typically, Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous times of the year on our nation’s roadways. Those who get together with family and friends during the holiday often drink alcohol, and when combined with increased amounts of travel, this can lead to car accidents caused by drunk driving. Things may be somewhat different in 2020 since concerns about COVID-19 are leading many to stay at home and avoid large gatherings. However, a large number of people will still be engaging in holiday travel and get-togethers, and because of this, Illinois law enforcement officials will be on the lookout for drunk driving, and they will be prepared to arrest those who are suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).

Law Enforcement Efforts to Reduce Drunk Driving Deaths

Hundreds of traffic fatalities occur during the Thanksgiving holiday every year in the United States. Even with the extraordinary circumstances that have affected people’s lives in 2020, the National Safety Council (NSC) has estimated that nearly 500 people will lose their lives between Wednesday evening and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. To help prevent car accidents, the Illinois State Police and other local law enforcement agencies will be conducting increased safety patrols. These patrols will continue through Monday, November 30, and they are likely to lead to high numbers of DUI arrests.

A driver may be charged with DUI if he or she is found to be driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit of .08 percent. In many cases, when police pull a driver over on suspicion of drunk driving, they will ask the driver to submit to field sobriety tests or take a portable breath alcohol test. Motorists are allowed to refuse these tests, although doing so may give an officer probable cause to make an arrest.

After being arrested, a driver will be asked to submit to chemical testing of his or her BAC at a police station. This testing may involve the use of a breathalyzer, or a person may be asked to give a blood or urine sample. If a driver refuses to submit to chemical BAC testing following an arrest, he or she will face a mandatory driver’s license suspension of one year. If a chemical test shows that a driver is above the legal BAC limit, he or she will face a six-month license suspension. These license suspensions will be in addition to any criminal consequences if the motorist is convicted of DUI in Illinois.

It is important to note that a driver may also face DUI charges when using substances other than alcohol, including marijuana or prescription drugs. The legal limit for THC (the substance in marijuana that causes users to become “high”) is 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 10 nanograms per milliliter of another bodily substance, such as urine or saliva. A driver may also be charged with DUI based on the use of illegal drugs or because the combination of prescription or over-the-counter medications with alcohol caused him or her to be unable to drive safely.

Contact Our DuPage County DUI Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Illinois, you may face a variety of consequences to your driver’s license and other areas of your life. At the Davi Law Group, LLC, our skilled legal team can help you defend against DUI charges, and we will work to protect your rights and help you achieve a positive outcome to your case. Contact our diligent Wheaton, IL criminal defense attorney at 630-580-6873 to set up your complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/thanksgiving-day/

https://www.positivelynaperville.com/2020/11/18/buckle-up-and-designate-a-sober-driver-for-thanksgiving-weekend/117350

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf