Driving under the influence of alcohol causes nearly
30 percent of traffic deaths
in the U.S. every year. It also leads to thousands of injuries. Drivers with
a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher are
four times more likely to crash, and young adults between 21 and 34 are
most at risk.
Alcohol is often a part of social gatherings, but with it comes the shared
responsibility of making sure everyone gets home safely. By planning ahead
and making thoughtful decisions, you and your friends can make safety a
priority and potentially save lives. Here are some ways to make sure no one
drives when they’re impaired.
1. Designate a driver
One of the most effective ways to prevent impaired driving is to plan ahead
by designating a sober driver. This person commits to not drinking and is
responsible for getting everyone in the group home safely. If a group
regularly goes out together, rotating this responsibility can make it fair
and encourage accountability.
2. Use public transit or ride-sharing
If designating a driver isn’t an option, public transit or ride-sharing
services are good alternatives. Depending on the area, buses, subways, and
trains may be convenient ways to get to and from gatherings. Ride-sharing
services like Uber or Lyft, or even traditional taxis, are also dependable
options. Splitting the cost of the ride makes it more affordable for
everyone involved.
3. Plan ahead as a host
If you are hosting an event at your home,
reminding guests in advance to plan out their ride home
can help set the tone for a responsible gathering.
4. Be a sober host
As the host, it’s a good idea to stay sober so you can
keep an eye on how everyone’s doing. If someone’s had too much to drink, you can step in and make sure they
don’t drive. You could also offer them a place to sleep or help them get a
ride home.
5. Offer non-alcoholic options
Providing a variety of
non-alcoholic drinks
can help make it easier for designated drivers while also
preventing others from overindulging. It’s also a great way of being considerate to guests who are sober.
Options such as sodas, flavored seltzers, mocktails, and non-alcoholic beers
or wines give everyone the chance to enjoy themselves without the pressure
to drink alcohol.
6. Stop serving alcohol early
No one should ever drink and drive, period. Even if your guests have a
designated driver, it’s still a good idea to stop serving alcohol
at least two hours before the event ends. This gives everyone time to start sobering up and helps prevent passengers
from getting too drunk to take care of themselves responsibly. Remember,
having a safe ride home doesn’t mean it’s smart to go overboard.
7. Practice tough love
True friends show each other tough love in situations that call for it, and
preventing impaired driving is one of those times. If someone insists on driving impaired, it’s important for their friends
to step in. Calmly explaining the risks and offering alternatives, such as
arranging a ride or helping them find a taxi, can usually help defuse the
situation.
Expressing genuine care for their safety may also convince them to think
twice about what they’re doing. But If they’re still set on driving, calmly
ask for their keys or find another way to stop them from driving without
escalating the situation. If that doesn’t work, calling the police may be
necessary. While this may seem extreme, it’s far better than allowing an
impaired person to endanger themselves or others.
The bottom line
Friends and peers have a lot of influence on each other’s behavior. Making
sure no one drives while impaired might involve some tough conversations or
choices, but it’s well worth it. When it comes down to it, prioritizing
safety over feelings is always the right call.
