The Bottom Line: Gift to Avoid This Holiday Season

November 30, 2011 | by Joseph Brownell

Thanksgiving, then Christmas and then New Year’s means a bounty of holiday parties to attend but it also means that more police will be patrolling Metro Atlanta’s streets and highways looking for people driving under the influence. Our community has never been one to shy away from having a drink but take it from me, the one set of lights you don’t want to see this holiday season is a set of red and blue in your rearview mirror.

Last Thanksgiving eve, I made the mistake of assuming I was okay to drive and spent most of Thanksgiving in the Atlanta City Detention Center and no, there wasn’t a turkey feast waiting there. Instead, I got a Little Debbie Fudge Round, some week-old lemonade (I’m assuming here), and a mysterious slice of meat served between what I assumed to be bread.

I wasn’t expecting the W but definitely knew it wasn’t a place that I belonged. Instead of a concierge, the guard at the front desk looked like Sinbad with bad 90’s humor and I could’ve sworn the female guard was Precious. Also, you can jokingly call someone a “crackhead” but until you have to sit next to one for hours you have no idea the true depth of that term.

I’m not trying to scare you. In all actuality jail wasn’t the worst part of the experience- the $5000+ I’ve spent dealing with this case has been. Luckily, someone close to me is an attorney or I could’ve spent twice that amount.

I’m sure at one point or another most everybody has gotten behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have; it’s a numbers game and you’ve just never been caught. Just know this holiday season there are plenty of (inexpensive) options. Get a designated driver, put Checker Cab into your cell phone (404-351-1111) or if you must have your car at home the next morning utilize the SafeRide program (404-888-0887).

I look back at all the money I spent this past year and imagine how much more money I could’ve taken to Europe. I may have been able to plead out reckless driving but it was still one expensive Christmas gift, one I wouldn’t wish to be under anyone’s tree this season.