The holiday season is one of the greatest times of the year, as it gives families, friends and loved ones plenty of time to see one another. From family parties to work-sponsored events, our calendars quickly become flooded with events where alcohol will be present. As we gather to do all of these fun things, it’s important to remember the increased risk of impaired driving.
No matter what circumstances you find yourself in this holiday season, no one should be driving if they’ve had any kind of alcohol. Here are some tips on how you can avoid impaired driving altogether and keep everyone safe:
- Organize in advance. If you know you will be going out with friends, family, or coworkers during the holiday season, plan your night out in advance. Instead of scrambling last minute, lay out a plan ahead of time and stick to it. Have a friend that’s willing to be designated driver? Are you willing to do it yourself? No matter who agrees to drive, remember that it’s a serious role. If everyone plans on drinking, hire a car service to pick you up and drop you off. Uber and Lyft offer affordable rides to and from no matter where you’re headed. These apps are easy to use from any smartphone. Traveling in a larger group? You can find drivers for groups of all sizes, from taxis to charter bus rentals to get you safely to and from your destination.
- Drink in moderation. The more alcohol you put into your system, the more impaired your thoughts and sense of judgment become. Drinking so much that you can’t make decisions properly puts you and the people around you in a scary situation. To avoid this, pace yourself throughout the night. Monitor how many drinks you’ve had so that you can stay in control of yourself. Consume something other than alcohol, like water, soda, or a sports drink, in between rounds to lessen your alcohol consumption. Doing so will help you maintain your ability to make sound decisions throughout the night.
- Say ‘no’ to the situation. The easiest way to avoid an impaired driving situation is to avoid alcohol completely. While it can be uncomfortable to deny something so socially acceptable, especially with friends, saying ‘No, thank you’ when someone offers you a drink is the best way to keep you and everyone around you safe. If you have been drinking and your friends are urging you to drive or get in a car with someone who has been drinking, adamantly saying ‘no’ and finding an alternate travel option for everyone involved will prevent a disaster from occurring.
There is nothing more enjoyable than the holiday season! Spending time with the people we enjoy most is always fun, but consuming alcohol in these social settings can lead to a drunk driving incident. Remember to take the proper steps to ensure that everyone stays safe this winter. Find a designated driver or an alternate way to travel, understand that saying ‘no’ is okay, and drink responsibly so that you and your loved ones can make the most of your time together!