Missouri law enforcement will be out in full force this weekend, cracking down on drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. With all the celebrating being done this Independence Day at family barbeques, company picnics and friendly get-togethers, it is easy to drink more than you planned to. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead to make sure you get home safely — and legally.

As part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, police throughout the state will be conducting saturation patrols, meaning that there will be more officers than usual on the roads to keep an eye out for impaired drivers. Historically, drunk driving arrests spike on the Fourth of July to a rate higher than almost any other day of the year. 

If you have had a couple of drinks and are on the fence about whether to drive yourself home or make other plans, it is always a good idea to err on the side of caution. Although it can seem inconvenient or expensive to call a taxi, take the bus or arrange a place to stay for the night, the hassle involved in any of these options will pale in comparison to the consequences of a DWI arrest.

Even if you manage to avoid conviction, the costs associated with a DWI arrest can easily run into the thousands. If you are convicted, you can also be saddled with steep fines, potential jail time and other costly consequences such as driver’s license suspension, court-ordered alcohol treatment or mandatory use of an ignition interlock device. If you are arrested for suspected drunk driving, an experienced DWI defense lawyer may be able to help you avoid or minimize the negative consequences of the arrest.

Source: Neosho Daily News, “Drive sober this holiday, police warn,” Dave Horvath, July 1, 2014