In order to help educate people about the dangers of drinking and driving, the Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center recently placed 4,258 flags into the ground on Randolph Road in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each of the flags represents a driver who was arrested for a DWI in Mecklenburg County in 2012. The intention of these flags is to raise driver awareness about the area’s widespread DWI problem. After all, most people believe that they will never get caught, but these flags prove that more than 4,200 people who shared a similar belief were wrong.
Will Roadside Flags Reduce DWI’s?
Although it is difficult to accurately predict the impact that these flags will have on drivers, they do send the unmistakable message that drinking and driving can easily lead to a DWI arrest. The Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center is certain to track data during the time period when the flags are in place to see if the total number of DWIs is reduced from 12 months ago. However, even if there is not an immediate impact, these flags are likely to become a conversation piece that will make local residents think more carefully about the DWI issues in their hometown.
What Else can be Done to Educate Drivers?
It is difficult to take a hands-on approach to educating drivers because it is not possible for the state to send every driver through an anti-DWI program. Instead, those programs are reserved for individuals who get arrested for driving while they are under the influence. However, this does not mean that officials in Mecklenburg County need to rely on places like the Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center to spread the message. Instead, electronic freeway signs can be programmed to remind people about the dangers of drinking and driving, and they can also weave the message into television, radio and print advertisements. Additionally, it is always a good idea to hold educational demonstrations at each high school that let students see exactly what it looks like when a drunk driver causes an accident. To increase the impact of these demonstrations, the local police department should ask a few students to volunteer as accident victims.
Can I Refuse to Implicate Myself by Taking a Breathalyzer Test?
Some people refuse to take a breathalyzer test because they believe that will keep them from being convicted of a DWI. However, your refusal could cause you to lose your driver’s license for up to one year. In fact, even if you are acquitted of the DWI charge, you can still end up with a suspended license. Therefore, you need to carefully consider your options before you refuse the test.
What Should I do if I am Arrested for a DWI?
If you are arrested in Mecklenburg County, your best bet is to contact a Charlotte DWI lawyer to help you build a solid defense. Keep in mind that it is possible to get an acquittal even if you were intoxicated. Therefore, you should never admit guilt to a police officer.
To avoid being arrested for a DWI, you should never get behind the wheel after you have been drinking. Even if you feel like you are only slightly buzzed, you are still taking a big risk. Therefore, it is always best to use a designated driver or take public transportation so that you can avoid dealing with a long list of legal issues.
Author Anthony Joseph closely follows and writes about new laws when they come into effect. Charlotte DWI lawyer Bill Powers is certified to examine the accuracy of the breathalyzer results an individual was forced to take. He’s a partner at the firm of Powers McCartan, and has over 10 years of experience fighting these types of cases.
