The National Football League (NFL) season generally runs from September to January, with the Super Bowl on the second Sunday in February. During this time, football fans get together with friends, go to bars, or go see games at their local stadiums.

The Oakland Raiders have relocated to Las Vegas but there are still plenty of football fans in Oakland who tune in to cheer on their favorite teams. If fans are out drinking while watching the game, they may risk a drunk driving arrest on their way home. 

If you get pulled over by the Oakland Police Department, you can face fines, jail time, and a suspended license. To avoid a criminal record, talk to an experienced California DUI defense attorney. Contact East Bay DUI defense lawyer Lynn Gorelick.

Drunk Driving Rates During Football Season

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, there was a 41% increase in the average number of traffic fatalities after the Super Bowl. This amounts to an average of 7 additional traffic deaths each Super Bowl Sunday.  

Another state's Department of Transportation found that football game days are among the heaviest days for alcohol consumption. Many of those football fans also drive home after consuming several drinks. There was a 13% increase in arrests for drunk driving during college home football games. 

Watching Football Games at Bars  

Many people can watch football games at home. However, more games are being shown on paid sports channels. If fans don't want to sign up for another cable package, it may be easier to go to the local bar and watch with lots of other football fans on big TVs. Many bars and restaurants even have game-day specials, with discounts on drinks and food. 

After the games are over, many customers may have lost track of exactly how many drinks they had over how much time. The energy and the atmosphere may make them feel like they are less impaired than they actually are. Police officers are aware of when home NFL games are over and may be on the lookout for impaired drivers. 

What You Can Do If You Get Pulled Over After a Football Game

If you go out drinking when watching an NFL or college football game and get pulled over in Alameda or Contra Costa County, here are some things to remember: 

• You don't have to submit to a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test
• You don't have to do the standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs)
• You only have 10 days to request a DMV administrative license suspension hearing
• You have the right to talk to a criminal defense lawyer 

A drunk driving conviction can result in expensive fines, DUI school, a suspended license, and a criminal record. An East Bay DUI defense lawyer can represent you in a drunk driving case to help you keep your license. 

Your lawyer can challenge the evidence and fight for your rights in court. If you were arrested for a DUI in Oakland after a football game, contact your local DUI defense lawyer for help to avoid a criminal conviction on your record.