Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. However, the 5th of May has come to be known as a day to celebrate Mexican heritage here in the United States. And often, the celebrations are accompanied by cervezas and tequila.
As with any holiday that provides the opportunity to imbibe an alcoholic beverage, law enforcement will be out in full force to catch drunk drivers.
“We know that impaired driving is dangerous, but it is especially dangerous around holidays like this where alcohol is often present and plays a role in celebrations,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Director Rhonda Craft. “Make smart decisions by planning a designated sober driver before the celebration begins."
From 2011-2015, 270 people were killed nationally in impaired driving crashes during the Cinco de Mayo holiday period. Over the 2015 Cinco de Mayo holiday period alone, 40 people were killed in impaired driving crashes.
Plan ahead of any Cinco De Mayo festivities where alcohol will be consumed.
Get a designated driver. Just make sure that your designated driver is, in fact, staying sober. Often, designated drivers do drink. They just don’t drink as much as their passengers. This is not a designated driver. Not only are they putting their passengers’ lives in danger, they are at risk of getting arrested for DUI.
Use public transportation. Cabs and busses are no longer the only options. Transportation companies like Uber, Sidecar, and Lyft provide holiday partygoers with the option of taking a ride privately owned, often luxury, vehicle.
Plan to stay the night. Whether at a hotel within walking distance or at the host’s house, staying the night to avoid driving home can help prevent a DUI. Remember, though, that it is possible to still be drunk the following morning depending on how much alcohol was consumed, what time the person went to bed, and what time the person drove home.
Don’t drink. While it may be the least attractive option, it is the only surefire way to avoid a California DUI.
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