When you get behind the wheel of a car, your actions can have irreversible consequences. Unfortunately, thousands of drivers choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal car accidents.
Drunk driving is a perilous practice that jeopardizes not just the driver, but everyone on the road. Recognizing the severity of drunk driving—and taking steps to prevent it from happening—is essential in fostering safer communities and protecting lives.
#1: Always Have a Designated Driver
One of the most effective strategies to prevent drunk driving is to plan ahead. If you know you’ll be drinking, appoint a sober friend as the designated driver. This person commits to abstain from alcohol for the evening and ensures everyone gets home safely. It’s a simple yet powerful way to enjoy social gatherings without putting others’ safety at risk.
#2: Call a Taxi or Rideshare Service
In today’s world, there’s no excuse for drunk driving, thanks to the availability of taxis and rideshare services. Apps like Uber and Lyft make it easy to get a ride with just a few taps on your phone, offering services that are not only convenient but also potentially life-saving. If you find yourself impaired, choose safety over convenience and call for a ride.
If you see a friend attempting to drive after drinking, intervene. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary. Take their keys, call them a cab, or offer them a place to stay. It’s important to stand firm in your decision, as you could be saving their life and the lives of others.
#4: Be a Responsible Host
If you’re hosting a party, you have a responsibility to ensure your guests’ safety and, as a host, As a host, you can play a crucial role in preventing drunk driving. Provide non-alcoholic beverage options and monitor alcohol consumption. Encourage guests to plan their return journey and offer alternatives to driving; if someone is too drunk and insists on driving, for example, let them sleep over and leave in the morning.
#5: Educate and Inform Others
Awareness is key in combating drunk driving. If you are passionate about ending intoxicated driving, participate in or organize educational programs in your community. Share personal stories, statistics, and the harsh realities of drunk driving. Sometimes, a real-life account or hard facts can be the wake-up call someone needs to reconsider their choices.
#6: Avoid Drinking Too Much
Understanding your limits with alcohol is crucial. Often, people who choose to drive after drinking do so because they’ve underestimated their level of impairment. Alcohol can impair judgment, making it difficult for someone to accurately assess their ability to drive safely.
Drinking responsibly means being aware of how alcohol affects you and stopping before you become impaired. Make sure to keep track of how much you have had to drink and limit yourself as needed.
Contact a Georgia Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone close to you has been impacted by a drunk driving incident in Georgia, you are not alone and you have the right to hold the at-fault motorist accountable. An attorney can guide you through this process, helping you seek the justice and compensation that you deserve. Contact an Augusta drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible to begin our journey toward recovery and closure.
