The Fourth of July is a time for food, fawomily and fireworks, but it's also one of the biggest days of the year for DUI arrests in the Seattle Metro Area. Law enforcement is especially vigilant on this holiday because, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which tracks DUI Statistics in Washington State and across the nation, July 4th consistently ranks as one of the deadliest days of the year for DUI-related car crashes.

With statistics like these, you can expect increased police activity on July 4th, including greater numbers of cops on the road, lots of sobriety checkpoints and the potential of being pulled over for any activity that a police officer deems even mildly suspicious. What might constitute suspicious behavior? Driving too fast or too slow, weaving in and out of traffic, failing to obey signs and failing to observe general traffic laws.

In short, you will really need to follow every traffic law to the letter. Like every other police force in the nation, the Seattle Police Department will be looking for any excuse to pull you over and perform a breathalyzer and/or field sobriety test. If possible, choose a designated driver, and if you must drive, do not get behind the wheel if you might be impaired. The risk of being caught is just too great on the Fourth of July. The University of Oklahoma Police Department has a handy Blood Alcohol Content Calculator that you can use to estimate how impaired you might be after a given number of drinks.

If you live in or plan to travel to the Seattle area, heed these warnings. King County, Washington, has one of the highest DUI conviction rates in the state, and the Seattle Police Department will be cracking down. If you do find yourself charged with DUI on July 4th, you will need a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer to fight on your behalf. Don't put your faith in just any DUI attorney. Wolff Criminal Defense has been handling these cases for years, and we know the laws inside and out. Don't try to fight your case without a winning defense. Contact us right away.

Most importantly, stay safe and have an enjoyable Independence Day.