It’s common knowledge that drinking and driving simply don’t work well together. Every single day, statistics show that an average of 30 people will die in the US due to drunk-driving accidents, which adds up to more than 10,000 deaths every year and countless injuries too.
Driving while drunk is evidently reckless and dangerous. Alcohol impairs your reactions and reduces your ability to make quick, sensible decisions. You’ll be slower to react, and even when you do react, you might make the wrong call, putting yourself and others in great danger.
Unfortunately, even though many people are fully aware of the risks of drunk-driving, a shocking number still do it. Millions of Americans have been charged with DUIs and arrested in connection with drunk-driving accidents in recent years, and millions more admit to drunk-driving without getting caught.
One of the most worrying aspects of the entire situation is that even people who are normally very sensible and law-abiding can make mistakes. It’s so simple to have one too many drinks while out at a party or visiting a bar with friends, so here are some tips to help you stay safe.
Listen to Your Body
One of the best ways in which you can reduce your chances of ending up with a DUI or an extreme DUI is to quite simply listen to your own body and know the signs when your own alcohol limits are close to being surpassed.
Even though states all have their own rules regarding how much alcohol needs to be present in your blood to qualify for a DUI, the truth is that everyone’s metabolism is different and some people can feel the effects of alcohol even in very small quantities. If you start noticing those effects, it’s time to stop drinking and wait until you’re feeling better or find another way home.
Seek Alternative Transport
It’s important to remember that drunk-driving is a choice, not an obligation. Nobody is forced to get behind the wheel while drunk, and even if you’ve been out at a bar for the evening and need to get home, there are always other options available to you.
Contact friends and family and ask them for a ride if you need it, as you can always return and collect your own vehicle later on the next day. Or you can make use of public transport or modern rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft.
Have a Designated Driver
If you’re planning a special event, a night out with friends or some other situation in which you might have a couple of drinks, a common method among groups of people is to decide on a designated driver.
This person will be responsible for driving everyone home at the end of the evening, and they’ll promise not to consume any alcohol over the course of the night. This allows the rest of the group to not need to worry about driving, later on, giving everyone a safe and secure ride they can rely on.
Understand the Risks
If you ever feel like you might be prone to drinking and driving or feeling like it’s not such a big deal to get behind the wheel after drinking a bottle of beer or two, take some time to educate yourself on the risks and dangers of doing so.
The simple fact of the matter is that drunk-driving is incredibly dangerous, and many people are unaware of just how risky it can be. People die or suffer life-changing injuries from these accidents daily, and even just getting a DUI or being in a minor fender bender can lead to long-term ramifications for your career prospects, relationships, and financial situation too. The more you know about the risks, the more motivated you’ll be to stay safe and follow the rules.
Final Word
It’s clear to see that driving while drunk is always going to be one of the most dangerous things a person can do. It not only puts their own life at risk, but also endangers countless other people they might cross or encounter while driving on the roads, and it’s no surprise that lots of innocent lives are lost purely due to the reckless and negligent actions of drunk drivers all the time.
Don’t allow yourself to become another one of the statistics. Keep these tips in mind, understanding your own body’s limits, always having a Plan B to get your home, and relying on friends and trusted connections to act as designated drivers and helpers whenever you need them.
