If you have noticed more squad cards on Georgia’s roadways recently it’s because the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is in the middle of a holiday safe driving campaign, which includes an increased law enforcement presence.
The GOHS said thousands of state troopers, police officers and sheriff’s deputies will be patrolling the state’s roadways throughout the busy holiday travel season.
Officers will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, not wearing seatbelts or driving under the influence of alcohol. Seatbelt usage was the primary target during Thanksgiving’s annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign and drunk driving will be the target of the annual “Operation Zero Tolerance” campaign over Christmas and New Year’s.
If there is one way to put a damper on your holidays, it’s by getting charged with a DUI. Not only is it extremely stressful, it also can be expensive during a time of year when money is usually tight for many Georgia residents. That’s why it’s important to arrange a sober ride if you plan on drinking at a holiday party or event.
If it is too late and you have already been accused of drunk driving, it’s important to understand that you do not have to plead guilty. By working with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to successfully fight your DUI charge and avoid the negative consequences that come along with pleading guilty.
In a DUI case, the burden of proof is on the prosecution, which means that the prosecutor has to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that you were guilty of impaired driving. The job of your defense team is to make sure that there is doubt so that you can beat the charge whenever possible. This is often possible even in cases where the evidence seems stacked against you.
Source: 11alive.com, “Holiday safe driving,” Dec. 3, 2014