Maryland law states that any individual stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater will be arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated.
Even if a person is stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence with a BAC level under .07%, he or she can still be arrested based on the officer’s observations before and during the stop. During a stop, should an officer determine that a person’s behavior is consistent with impairment due to alcohol or drug consumption, that person will be arrested for a DUI. Naturally, if a person fails any part of a field sobriety test during a traffic stop, he or she will be arrested.
Below are some helpful tips on how Maryland drivers can avoid receiving a DUI:
1. Eat a hearty meal before starting to drink and include high carbohydrate foods to help
absorb the alcohol that you will be drinking later on.
2. If you plan a night of drinking, start by drinking at least 32 ounces of water before
drinking any alcohol and alternate a glass of water between each alcoholic drink to
slow down the rate of alcoholic consumption.
3. If you’re taking any non-prescription medication, do not drive after drinking. There’s a
high possibility that your non-prescription medication already contains alcohol and
drinking alcoholic beverages on top of taking such medication will likely lead to you
having a BAC above .08%.
4. Avoid driving any type of vehicle if you have become impaired by overindulging in
alcohol or drugs. Operating any type of transportation vehicle can lead to a DUI
conviction.
5. Do not sit in the driver seat of a car if you are intoxicated. Even a car being towed can
lead to a DUI conviction if the person sitting behind the wheel is intoxicated.
6. Do not drive under the influence on private property. In Maryland (and in most states),
you can charged with a DUI, regardless of whether you’re driving on public property
(i.e., public streets and highways) or on private property.
7. Do not speed, run a red light, or fail to make a complete stop at stop signs. Those
traffic offenses are the leading causes for police to stop vehicles; those traffic
violations can subsequently result in a DUI.
8. Drive with traffic (blend in) because studies show that it is more difficult for the police
to detect an impaired driver than when you’re an isolated driver on the highway or
street.
9. If you are pulled over by the police, do not exit your vehicle unless the police instructs
you to do so. Exiting your vehicle during a traffic stop may be considered
incriminating conduct that indicates intoxication (i.e., failing to stay on your feet).
10. If you are stopped by the police for a traffic violation, do not argue with the police
officer. Simply furnish your license, registration, and proof of automobile insurance
and do not speak except to respond in the most basic fashion.
These are just a few tips to help you avoid getting a DUI. By far the best way to avoid getting a DUI is to avoid driving at all costs after you have consumed alcoholic beverages. However, if you do find yourself charged with a DUI, contact us at GDH Law, LLC at (301) 769-6835 so that you can obtain legal representation to help you avoid a DUI conviction. We’ll fight on your behalf so that your DUI charge doesn’t become a DUI conviction that could remain on your public record and potentially result in lost future employment opportunities and the revocation of professional licenses and certifications. We’ll fight for you the GDH way. It’s the only way.
