Labor Day weekend is here. For many people in Palm Beach County, that means one last long summer weekend of boating, beach days, barbecues, restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.
It also means increased DUI and traffic enforcement throughout Florida.
Labor Day is part of Florida's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. During this period, law enforcement agencies put additional emphasis on identifying and arresting impaired drivers.
You can learn more about Florida's Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign here:
Florida Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day Campaign
Will There Be DUI Checkpoints This Labor Day Weekend?
In addition to saturation patrols and increased traffic enforcement, drivers may encounter DUI checkpoints during the holiday weekend.
Checkpoint locations can change, and not every enforcement operation is announced far in advance. One website that tracks reported DUI checkpoints throughout Florida is:
Keep in mind that a checkpoint-listing website is not a substitute for official announcements from local law enforcement agencies, and police do not need a checkpoint to investigate a suspected DUI.
I have also made a video explaining DUI checkpoints in Florida, how they work, and what drivers should know when approaching one.
Watch: What You Need to Know About DUI Checkpoints
The Best DUI Defense This Weekend Is Not Getting One
Knowing where checkpoints may be located should never be viewed as a way to drink and drive while avoiding law enforcement.
If you are going to drink this Labor Day weekend, plan ahead. Use Uber or Lyft, designate a sober driver, take a taxi, or stay where you are.
A DUI arrest can have consequences that extend far beyond the fine or cost of hiring a lawyer. There can be insurance consequences, transportation costs, missed work, DUI school, community service, driver's license issues, and potential long-term effects of a DUI conviction.
I recently covered some of those expenses here:
Watch: The Hidden Costs of a Florida DUI
Arrested for DUI Over Labor Day Weekend?
Unfortunately, every holiday weekend people in our community will be arrested for DUI.
If that happens to you or someone you know, remember: an arrest is not a conviction.
There may be issues involving the legality of the traffic stop, roadside sobriety exercises, the officer's observations, body-camera footage, breath or blood testing, or whether law enforcement followed the proper procedures.
There are also time-sensitive driver's license issues following a Florida DUI arrest. Waiting until your first court date to start dealing with the case can be a mistake.
The Law Office of Matthew Konecky, P.A. represents people charged with DUI throughout Palm Beach County, including Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, and the surrounding communities.
If you were arrested for DUI this Labor Day weekend, we are here to help people in our community understand what comes next and begin building a defense.
Have a safe Labor Day weekend. Plan ahead, enjoy the holiday, and don't drink and drive.
