When California gets rain, drivers need to slow down—and if you’ve been drinking, stay off the road.
California and rain have a complicated relationship. We spend months complaining that it never rains. Then El Niño arrives, the clouds open up, and suddenly Californians remember that water actually falls from the sky.
For drivers, an El Niño weather pattern can mean more rain, slick roads, reduced visibility, standing water and potentially hazardous driving conditions. Add alcohol or drugs to the equation, and a bad driving situation and alcohol can become a California DUI arrest.
Rain Doesn’t Make a DUI Go Away
You might think that if you’re stopped after an evening of drinking and it’s pouring rain, the officer will have more important things to worry about. Don’t count on it. Law enforcement officers know that wet roads can make impaired driving even more dangerous. A driver who is already having difficulty maintaining lane position, judging distances or reacting quickly may become an even greater hazard when road conditions deteriorate. And here’s the important point: Rain doesn’t make you less impaired. It can make the consequences of impairment worse.
“But I Was Driving Carefully!”
That’s something DUI attorneys hear frequently. You may honestly believe you were driving carefully. But even a careful driver can have problems when alcohol or drugs affect reaction time, judgment, coordination or perception. Add rain, darkness and slick pavement, and the margin for error becomes smaller. A sudden stop by the vehicle ahead, a hydroplaning vehicle, standing water or a curve in the road can require a quick reaction. That’s not the time to discover that your reflexes aren’t what they normally are.
California Rain + Alcohol = A Bad Combination
During significant storms, drivers should already be adjusting their driving:
- Reduce your speed.
- Increase following distance.
- Turn on your headlights.
- Avoid sudden braking or steering.
- Watch for standing water.
- Be especially careful at night.
- Never drive through flooded roadways.
And if you’ve been drinking? Don’t drive. Call a rideshare. Have a designated driver. Get a hotel. Call a friend. Leave the car where it is and pick it up the next day. A $30 rideshare can seem expensive until you compare it with the potential financial and personal consequences of a DUI.
If You Are Arrested for DUI, You Have Options
If you do find yourself arrested for DUI, don’t assume the weather explains everything—or that it proves nothing. A DUI case can involve many different issues, including the reason for the traffic stop, the officer’s observations, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, the timing of alcohol consumption and whether proper procedures were followed. Don’t try to explain your entire case to everyone at the police station, on social media or to your friends. Talk to a California DUI defense attorney about your situation.
The Bottom Line: Rain, Drinking And Driving Are A Gamble
El Niño may bring California something we desperately need—rain. But when the roads get wet, drivers need to be smarter, slower and more cautious. And if you’ve been drinking, don’t gamble with your safety or someone else’s. Let the rain fall. Let somebody else drive.
Let Us Help. Over 5,000 DUI Cases Handled For North San Diego County.
If you have been arrested for DUI in California, the decisions you make after the arrest can matter. Contact Christoph Law Offices today. Vista DUI Defense Attorneys Nick and William Christoph can explain what comes next and what you can do now to help get the best resolution in your case.
Listed in San Diego Magazine “Top Lawyers.” Located across from North County Vista Courts for over 40+ years. Free consultations.
