7 Ways to Stop Friends From Drinking & Driving
Hoover Kacyon
June 17, 2022
Getting together with friends and family is a wonderful way to enjoy the summer weather. However, it’s important to remember that if alcohol is included in your festivities, ensuring that people are safe and drinking responsibly should be a part of the party plans.
Being charged with a DUI is a serious offense that can have severe consequences. Even a first offense conviction can result in jail time, suspension of your license, court fines, probation, and/or court-ordered counseling. In Ohio, the State assesses points against your driver’s license, which can affect your insurance rates, credit rating, or even your employment. Some states may require you to keep a monitoring device in your vehicle.
Here are a few tips for ensuring that everyone arrives home safely.
- Call for a ride. Ride-sharing services are now available in most communities. Paying for a ride home far outweighs the cost of a DUI or an accident. Some communities even offer free ride services.
- Offer to be or have a designated driver available. Provide your guests with a safe option to get home. Designate yourself or a non-drinking friend to be a sober driver. If you have a licensed driver under 21, consider asking them to be the designated driver for your guests.
- Use public transportation. If your city offers public transportation, this is a great and cost-effective option for making sure friends and family don’t drive under the influence.
- Be assertive. Let your guests know you care about them, that their safety is important to you, and that you won’t tolerate drinking and driving. Consider collecting keys from anyone who opts to drink alcohol.
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages. Be sure your guests have the option to not drink alcohol in the first place by making sure you offer non-alcoholic beverage options.
- Stop serving. Especially in a party situation, you might want to stop serving alcohol two hours before the party ends, so guests have time to sober up before getting behind the wheel.
- Stay the night. If you have the space or a lodging option available, offer to let intoxicated guests sleep it off.
Getting a DUI or being involved in an alcohol-related accident will put a damper on any party fun. Ensure you and your guests make responsible choices when drinking during social activities.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI/OVI, be sure you know your rights. Contact our office to schedule an initial consultation for legal representation in the Akron, Canton, or Summit county areas. Our Akron criminal and traffic law attorneys will work with you to address your specific situation and come to the best possible resolution in your criminal or traffic allegation. Please call our office at
330-922-4491 or fill out our
contact form.
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