The summer season only lasts a few months in Michigan, so many residents try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Backyard barbecues, outdoor sports, holiday get-togethers, and graduation parties are only some of the events that contribute to high rates of DUIs in the summer months. Simply having more drivers on the road contributes to the higher rates of DUIs resulting in individuals seeking out a Michigan driver’s license reinstatement.
First of all, don’t drive if you have been drinking or using drugs that diminish your ability to do so safely. If you are tempted to get behind the wheel while you are intoxicated, you should understand how time consuming and difficult the Michigan driver’s license reinstatement process really is.
A skilled attorney can help you try to get your driver’s license back after a DUI, but in order to maintain your independence, avoid crashes, and prevent drunken-driving fatalities, don’t risk it.
Why a Higher Number of DUIs Occur in the Summer Months in Michigan
A combination of festive holidays, more daylight hours, and a greater number of drivers on the road may be a recipe for disaster. All of these factors contribute to a higher number of DUIs in the summer months in Michigan, and state law enforcement officials and researchers are very aware of this.
A study organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that drunken-driving incidents occurred twice as often in the summer as they did in the rest of the months of the year combined.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30 people die in drunken-driving accident every single day, and the NHTSA reports that more than 30 percent of drunken-driving fatalities occur between midnight and 3 a.m. on Saturdays.
Why summer months have a higher rate of DUIs is clear.
- A greater number of drivers take road trips, which may be especially true this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After staying home for more than a year, many families are anxious to get out and enjoy their summer. However, some may still hesitate to fly, both due to coronavirus risks and potentially more expensive flights.
- Families want to take advantage of all that summer has to offer while it lasts, and the increase in daylight hours contributes to more activity all around.
- The summer is essentially three months of celebration. It starts with Memorial Day, when Michigan really opens up. Next come graduation parties as well as those famed June weddings.
And, of course, then comes the Fourth of July, which the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has identified as the most hazardous driving day of the year. On an average day, about 35 percent of fatal crashes involve drunken driving. On the Fourth of July, that number increases significantly to 47 percent.
From drinking while watching fireworks to having a few at a backyard barbecue, the beginning of July undoubtedly creates dangerous conditions on the road.
Other events where people may be drinking during the summer include religious celebrations, festive outdoor birthday parties, pool parties, beach picnics, trips to the downtown Detroit casinos, community festivals, everyday outdoor gatherings with friends, and so on.
Please don’t get me wrong. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the great weather and spend quality time with your friends and family this summer. But please do so responsibly. I have been a Michigan driver’s license reinstatement attorney for many years, so I understand how much drivers go through when they lose their license. It’s a challenging time — one that can be avoided by taking your responsibility as a driver seriously.
Your Chances of Michigan Driver’s License Reinstatement after a DUI
With a qualified attorney by your side, Michigan driver’s license reinstatement after a DUI may be possible. However, you would have to wait an entire year before you can even try to get your license back after a drunken-driving conviction. You also would be required to follow all of the judge’s orders, including such things as attending substance abuse classes.
In Michigan, the driver’s license reinstatement process is very time-consuming once that year is over. You would have to file a request for license reinstatement through the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight. Afterward, you would need to compile several pieces of evidence to show that you will be a responsible driver once your driver’s license is reinstated. This may include:
- A drug/alcohol screening
- At least three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your sobriety
- Support from a substance abuse counselor
- Proof that you attended any required substance abuse classes
After submitting a request for a Michigan drivers license reinstatement and compiling all of the necessary documentation, you and I would attend a hearing before the board. During this hearing, you can call witnesses to testify on your behalf, and the board would render a decision.
Long story short, don’t drink and drive this summer, or at any time. It’s not worth it.
But if you do need your driver’s license reinstated in Michigan, call me. I can answer any related questions you may have.