Driving under the influence is a bad idea, no questions asked. Even if you think you’re okay and can make it home, you shouldn’t be trusted. Drunk driving accidents claim the lives and injure the livelihoods of too many people every day. Other drivers have no way of knowing if someone is intoxicated while they’re behind the wheel and may end up paying for someone else’s mistake with their life if people choose to ignore the laws for a DUI in Arizona. Having a drink or enjoying a social beverage isn’t a problem, but you need to have a plan of action for how you’re going to get home in a safe, secure and appropriate manner. Here are four ways you can prevent a drunk driving catastrophe.
1. Assign Someone To Drive
Before even stepping foot out of your house for a fun Friday night, make sure your group knows who’s driving. This role can’t be set after arriving at the restaurant or social event because no one may end up volunteering, and everyone could end up drinking. A designated driver takes the responsibility of not drinking at all during the night and is the only one who holds on to the keys and gets behind the wheel. This person has to have a strong conviction in their role and know how important being the designated driver is.
2. Use Public Transportation To Get Home
Taxis, Ubers and Lyfts can get pricey. However, public transportation isn’t usually as expensive. Get to know your public transportation routes and ride times, so you and your friends can plan a night of fun for everyone with the assurance you all will arrive home safely. Going out for drinks already costs a pretty penny in most cases, so finding alternative ways to save a buck can go a long way in the grand scheme of your total social experience.
3. Find A Place To Sleep Nearby
If you’re traveling into the city or to a new environment for a party or gathering, try and book a room where you can stay close by that’s in walking distance to where you’re going to be. You won’t have to try and figure out how you’re getting home or look for someone to take you home, but you’ll instead know where you’re going and have that place already picked out. It’ll also give you a chance to see more of an environment if you can spend time walking the streets and immersing yourself in a place you haven’t been before.
4. Take Someone Else’s Keys
If all else failed, and proper precautions during drinking weren’t adhered to, you have to take action if someone is planning to drive who clearly shouldn’t be. It’s imperative you take their keys and don’t let them have control of any car. In this situation, the safety of your friends and complete strangers is vital. If you see something, say something and do something.
If you ended up as a victim in a drunk driving accident, there are resources who will fight for you to make it right. However, more people need to adhere to and practice safe-drinking tips to keep more people secure and protected on the road.
