Traffic nightmare due to road and lane closures near eventful night in downtown Fort MyersFEMA gives Lee County another deadline extension for the flood insurance discount
MGN LEE COUNTY, Fla.- If you need a ride home on New Year’s Eve, you’re better off renting a helicopter than drinking and driving. Imagine charting a personal flight for your New Year’s ride home, fitting you and six friends. You’d be flying high while most people will… “Call a cab if we need someone or a friend,” said Hailey Martin. “We were considered a limo but most are booked already,” said Colleen Swartz, “so it’ll probably be a taxi.” The flight with O’Brien Helicopters will cost you $2,200 an hour. It may seem out of your price range now, but it’s cheaper than driving your own car home drunk and getting popped for a DUI. “DUIs are extraordinarily expensive,” said attorney Zachary Cantor. He deals with criminal arrests, including DUI. “Certainly around the holidays time, getting closer to New Year’s and after Christmas there is an abundance of DUI arrests.” Cantor says just one DUI arrest will cost you thousands. You’ll need an attorney, have to attend DUI school and apply for a hardship license. You would also have to pay a criminal fine. All of the costs total around $10,000 or more. The State of Florida might also make you get DUI insurance for up to 3 years, setting you back up to $3,000 in addition to what you were already paying for car insurance. So, if you are planning going out for New Year’s Eve, don’t forget the most important plan: how to get home safe after the ball drops.