Hopefully, you’ll never need the services of a DUI accident attorney. Drunk driving is both extremely dangerous (for yourself and other drivers) and extremely easy to avoid doing. However, despite these factors, drunk driving accidents are still a common occurrence on roads throughout America.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30 people lose their lives to drunk driving accidents every single day. In most of these cases, the crash and loss of life could have been entirely avoided if someone refused to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Preventing drunk driving accidents may, on the surface, seem very simple. If you’ve been drinking alcohol, even just a few drinks, do not operate a motor vehicle in any capacity. While this is advice everyone should adhere to, it becomes much more challenging to resist the temptation when you’re in the moment.
This is why it’s important to understand the hazards of drunk driving, both in legal and safety terms, and know your options for preventing drunk driving accidents. If everyone took the time to understand their options and really understood that drunk driving (or buzzed driving) is never a good alternative, we can work together to reduce the amount of deaths from drunk driving accidents.
DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER
Perhaps the simplest way to prevent drunk driving accidents is to always designate one person as the designated driver. Most people know when they’re going to an event or party that will include alcohol, which makes it easier to plan a safe way home. If you have a designated driver planned, this person can be better prepared to make responsible decisions, like drinking soft drinks or other types of beverages, instead of alcohol.
If you have a friend group you occasionally go out with, take turns being the designated driver. This will ensure that no one person bears all the responsibility, and in the end, you’re all taking care of each other.
RIDESHARE SERVICES
In our evolving “shared” economy, more and more people are choosing to rent or share products and services—including a ride home. Rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, have made it easier than ever to get a quick and affordable ride home. These companies have spread into cities all over the world, and even if you aren’t in a major city, there’s a good chance an Uber driver isn’t all that far away.
Calling an Uber or Lyft is one of the most effective ways to avoid drunk driving accidents. With their around-the-clock service, customers can get a ride home even after a long night. While there have been safety concerns with some of these companies, most rideshare services have improved their hiring and safety measures over recent years.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
If you live in a bigger city, public transport is an excellent (and affordable) alternative to driving under the influence. Take the time to do some research and see if a bus route would be an effective way for you to get home. In some cities, citizens can even ride the bus system without any charge.
Recently, many cities have worked to improve public transit, with combatting drunk driving as one of the leading reasons. On some major holidays, such as New Year’s, some cities have started programs that offer you a free ride home if you’ve been drinking. Again, this is why it’s so important to just do a little research before your night out so you can determine the best option for making it home safe.
SPEND THE NIGHT
While this may not be a viable option for someone drinking at a bar or restaurant, spending the night at a friend’s house is always smarter than driving after you’ve been drinking. If you’ve been drinking at a house party and have no safe ride home, never feel shy or embarrassed from asking the host for a place to spend the night.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Even if you don’t plan on driving, you should always know your limits in terms of alcohol consumption. Drinking becomes most dangerous when you exceed your limits and lose the ability to make rational decisions. Be conscious of how much you’re drinking throughout an evening and pace yourself—often you won’t feel the full effects of alcohol until some time has passed.
NEVER DRIVE WITH SOMEONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE
While most of us trust the decisions and actions of our friends, you should never get in the car with someone who has been drinking. Even if they feel and act fine, there’s a chance their driving ability is impaired, which could lead to an accident. In the moment this might feel like you’re betraying your friend for not trusting them, it’s nothing compared to the consequences of being involved in a drunk driving accident.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Using yourself as an example of safe driving is one of the most effective ways to combat drunk driving accidents. You may not often realize it, but your actions really do impact your family, friends, and loved ones. By refusing to drive drunk or buzzed, or even refusing to get in the car with someone who’s been drinking, your actions could work like a ripple effect and encourage others who see you to act similarly.
CONCLUSION – HOW TO PREVENT DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS
At the end of the day, it’s never worth the risk to drive under the influence. Even if you’ve only had one or two drinks, a DUI could cost you thousands of dollars, put your career in jeopardy, or even land you in jail. And that’s not the worst of it. Driving impaired slows down your reaction time and weakens your decision-making ability, increasing the potential to be involved in an auto accident.
If you plan on attending an event with alcohol, always have a designated driver or a predetermined way to make it home without jumping behind the wheel. With the popularity of rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, have also made it easier and more convenient than ever to avoid making this mistake. However, if you do find yourself involved in a drunk driving accident, you’ll want to reach out to experienced lawyers in Denver. These professionals can help you understand your rights and determine whether or not your case warrants legal compensation.
