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April 5, 2019

It’s finally Spring again here in the Northern Hemisphere, and you know what that means: Spring Break—followed soon after by summer! Most people do their absolute best to make the most of the warm months by barbecuing, pool parties, or weekend road trips to the nearest lake or beach!

But while everyone is having a great time, there’s also a dangerous risk that goes hand-in-hand with the party season: drunk driving. With so much to do, partygoers could make the terrible decision to drive from one party to the next or try and drive themselves home after a long night. Fortunately, with the right planning, you can avoid driving while intoxicated and still have a great time this spring and summer without putting your license or your life and the lives of others in danger.

Here are the essential tips to avoid getting a DUI:

Never Drive Drunk or Drugged

First things first: If you’ve been consuming alcohol, or have even just been up all night with no sleep, you should not get behind the wheel. And neither should your friends who have been doing the same. Only an entirely sober and, ideally, well-rested person should do the driving. And if no one in your group is up to it, make an alternate plan that does not involve any of you driving. Not only are you at risk of drunk driving, but everyone’s life will be put at risk as well. Even one drink can result in deadly accidents.

Consider purchasing a personal breathalyzer to test yourself or friends before you let anyone have their keys. You could save lives this summer.

Have a Sober Plan to Get Home

A sober driver is someone who has not consumed a drop of alcohol. You should never choose the “most sober” person to drive. Driving with fewer drinks is still driving drunk.

The 3 Best Plans for Getting Home Safe

  1. Have a designated driver.
  2. Have a friend or relative who has agreed to come to pick you up.
  3. Call a cab or a ride service.

Take turns Being the DD

Being the designated driver requires someone to take extra responsibility and not drink or do drugs during the entire time they are out. So, the right thing to do in a group of friends is to take turns. Day by day, or weekend by weekend. That way, no one person is stuck being the designated driver all the time.

Also, be kind to your designated driver to make it worth their while. Buy them a case of fizzy fruit juice to enjoy, pitch in for gas money, and cover their fast food order.

Already Know How to Call a Ride Service

You do not want your first time calling a ride service to be when you’re stuck without a safe ride home. Do a practice run (possibly to get to the bar/party without your car) so that you are familiar with the process. And, as general advice when taking rides from strangers, consider only taking a ride service when you are traveling with friends. There’s safety in numbers.

Have an Emergency Ride Contact

And if all else fails, make sure you know someone sober in town who will answer the phone at 2:00 is—just in case. Whether this is a sober friend, a parent, a sibling, make sure that you have at least one backup designated driver who can come pick you up in a pinch.

Spring and Summer are the high points for many events and parties, but that doesn’t have to come with the usual peak in annual DUIs. Instead of putting yourself in physical and legal risk this year, drink safe, drive sober, and always have a backup plan. If you or someone you know needs a reliable ignition interlock device (IID) to maintain their driving privileges, we are just a phone call away. Contact us today!

 

*Links to any third-party websites herein are provided for your reference and convenience only. RoadGuard Interlock did not create nor develop and does not own any such third-party websites. RoadGuard Interlock does not endorse nor support the content of, nor any opinions stated in any such third-party website links. RoadGuard Interlock is not responsible for the content of any third-party website or its accuracy or reliability. Nothing contained in this article or in any such third-party website shall be considered legal advice or be deemed to constitute legal advice. For any legal advice concerning a DUI arrest, charge, conviction, or consequences thereof, you should contact an attorney of your choice.