If you are traveling for the holidays this December, or if you plan on attending holiday parties and family meals in the Boston area, here’s something you need to know. As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research is footing the bill for increased police patrols across the commonwealth this month. Both local departments and the State Police will be on the lookout for suspected drunk drivers to arrest on OUI charges.
Authorities expect there to be a surge in holiday traveling after most of us had to spend the holidays at home in 2020. For example, before the recent Thanksgiving weekend, AAA Northeast predicted a 15 percent increase in travel for that holiday. While many holiday travelers will be flying or taking the train, many others will drive — and some of them will drive impaired on drugs or alcohol.
Mistakes made over the holidays
Many drivers who will get pulled over this holiday season have no criminal record. They may have had a little too much to drink at a party and did not realize they were over the legal limit. Others might be falsely accused, or the police might violate their rights during the traffic stop. And for people of color, the possibility that they were the victims of illegal racial profiling cannot be ignored.
The power of the police and prosecution can seem overwhelming. But with the right legal help, the playing field can be more even. You might have more options than you realize, potentially including getting the charges dismissed.