From an impending hurricane to St. Patrick's Day, to Cinco de Mayo and major federal holidays, Miami residents will find any excuse to party. So, it's no wonder why the Magic City goes "all out" on a day like Halloween. This year Halloween falls on Monday, Oct. 31 - that means that Miami will be partying all weekend long, starting on Friday, Oct. 28.Whether you're planning on hitting a packed place like Lincoln Road or Coconut Grove, or a local dive bar or high-end club, you're sure to be surrounded by thousands of fellow partiers and the alcohol will be flowing all weekend long.Some of Miami's top hot spots this Halloween: Malice in Wonderland on Wednesday, Oct. 26Helleven: The Abyss Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 27Nite of the Livin' Shred II, Friday, Oct. 28Once Bitten Halloween Costume Party, Friday, Oct. 28Afrojack, Friday, Oct. 28 at Story NightclubAll Gold Everything Halloween party, Friday, Oct. 28Helleven: The Abyss Halloween, Friday, Oct. 28For more event details, check out the Miami New Times.Halloween happens to be the holiday that kicks off the biggest DUI season of the year, which means law enforcement will be stepping up its efforts to arrest people for DUI throughout Miami-Dade County between Oct. 28th and 31st.So, if you're planning on partying this Halloween, the one costume you don't want to be wearing is a jail uniform after being arrested for DUI during the festivities.To stay safe this Halloween, follow these tips: Before you head out for the evening, think ahead and plan a sober ride home.If you're the designated driver, don't let your friends down by drinking.If you don't have a DD, call Uber, Lyft, or a cab.If you designate a friend as the sober driver for the evening, make sure he or she doesn't have a few drinks. Your DD is not supposed to be "less drunk" than you, they're not supposed to be drinking anything at all!Don't mix energy drinks with alcohol and assume you can drive home safely. The caffeine in energy drinks does zero to reduce a person's blood alcohol level (BAL). What alcohol mixed with an energy drink can do is "fool" you into believing you're sober enough to drive when your BAL says otherwise. What you'll be is a "wide awake" drunk and you can get into a DUI crash!Beware of drunk walking. While walking may seem safe, you could stumble onto the road, or you could wander into traffic and get hit by a car. Drinking lowers people's inhibitions and reduces good judgment, often leading to engaging in risky, if not dangerous behaviors that can get them seriously hurt.At Jonathan Blecher, P.A., my staff and I want to wish you a fun, safe Halloween. Please remember to drink responsibly, but if something does go wrong and you're arrested for DUI in Miami, contact my office for a hard-hitting defense!
