Driver beware: road renovations = DUI increases

Those ‘going out on the town’ dancing, eating and bar hopping this weekend should be well aware that work on several major roadways is expected, and the same will undoubtedly have a ripple effect for traffic on both sides of Lake Washington. Often with major road construction comes folks not familiar with the unforeseen road closures and other miscellaneous road changes.  These people get pulled over by officers for making mistakes that they would not otherwise normally make while driving. Generally, as a result, DUI processing is increased during these road construction periods because once these folks get stopped, the officer smells alcohol and observes the other tell tale signs of consuming alcohol and/ or smoking marijuana (bloodshot, watery eyes, flushed face, slurred speech etc.).

So to everyone who is ‘going out on the town’ this weekend be well advised that the Seattle Department of Transportation will close all but a single lane on the northbound Interstate 5 collector-distributor to replace worn and aging expansion joints from Friday, March 21, 2014 until Monday morning, March 24, 2014. Also, the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for additional inspection work, Saturday, March 22 2014. In addition thereto, the Seattle Department of Transportation will have a nighttime closure on southbound SR 99 as well as daytime closures of the Mercer Street ramps to I-5 as part of the Mercer Corridor Project.

Eastside drivers will need to use alternate exits on I-405 to reach downtown Bellevue as the southbound off-ramp to Northeast Eighth Street will be closed all weekend for drainage and barrier work.

If you or a loved one gets in a bind as a result of a traffic stop that turns into a DUI arrest this weekend, immediately contact a Seattle DUI attorney. A Seattle DUI lawyer is not going to judge you, and we all understand that people make mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI attorney to help can – at a minimum – reduce those penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge. So it should go without saying that someone cited for DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI attorney as soon as possible. Driving Under the Influence charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI lawyer.

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