The holidays for many are a time for enjoyment; coming together with family and friends to celebrate. While busy schedules can often mean people go long periods of time without seeing each other, more individuals are willing to make time during a holiday to spend time with those they love. There are many holidays throughout the calendar year. From New Year's to Easter and Halloween, there is always a new holiday to be looking forward to. Well many look positively to these events that may give them a day out of school or a break from work, even Christmas can come with a downfall. While spirits are high, so is the enforcement of driving on the roads.

Knowing that many will be out driving, possibly after drinking, highway patrol has taken action to take advantage of the situation. Checkpoints are often set up in various locations. You may be just getting on or off the freeway after a long day or are on your way to a family gathering when you suddenly find yourself behind a long row of cars that don't appear to be moving anywhere. If you try to leave the line there are offices waiting to pull you over, preventing you from getting anywhere quick, as well as being able to avoid investigation from officers looking to see if you are under the influence.

There are many holidays in which drinking can be associated, such as New Year's or St. Patrick's Day. Even if drinking is not one of the wider known aspects of the holiday, most holidays still involve some sort of alcohol even if it includes wine with dinner. Many may find themselves more relaxed during a holiday, not taking the same cautions they otherwise would. Not only are holidays an increased time for drinking, the amount of cars on the roads can be substantially increased as well, with many drivers traveling out of town or even just to a close by party.

While on a typical work day the normal citizen may simply be driving from work back home, on a holiday, they are more likely to be drinking at a bar or a party and driving around in between. Highway patrol is more apt to be on the lookout for drivers that seem impaired during this time. For those that are looking to drink socially while at events, it is important to check your blood alcohol content level before getting behind the wheel, or have a designated driver to get you home safely. Failing to do so may mean you are one of the many that are charged with driving while under the influence.

Law enforcement does not take this initiative without reason. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2004, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there were 3,511 traffic fatalities, 1,316 of which were related to alcohol consumption. From 1998 until 2008, there were around 572 deaths each year during Thanksgiving on the highways, with about 36 percent of them being alcohol related. Since drinking increases during holidays, the NHTSA has taken out efforts to prevent against the high number of accidents and fatalities through such strategies as the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" campaign. While drinking is not the only reason for accidents that occur, many of them can be associated with it. In order to raise awareness and discourage drivers from driving after drinking, DUI penalties can be severe. Each state has its own policy on drinking and driving and many of them have taken their own campaign to lash out against it.

Some have upped the amount of officers they have out scanning the roads, while others have conducted marketing campaigns to get the word out there. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention took out a study, finding that when checkpoints were set up, the number of crashes and deaths involving alcohol were reduced by over 20 percent in some places. Some may have their license revoked, pay high fines or be placed in jail. When the holidays are supposed to be a time of enjoyment, a DUI can be an unwelcomed burden. For those that are charged, the repercussions can hinder you from being able to drive and may leave you paying high fines. Your charge can also affect you socially, since a criminal charge is information that is open to the public. Don't let yourself be a victim. You can take legal action with the help of a lawyer to prove your innocent and have your charges removed.