Designated Drivers
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Are you going out tonight? You probably already picked out an outfit and the restaurant where you will be going. But have you picked a designated driver (DD) yet?
Having a designated driver is a smart idea. It is estimated that designated drivers have saved 50,000 lives and helped thousands more to prevent injuries that would have occurred as a result of driving under the influence.
The number of people who use designated drivers has gone up increasingly over time. Every year, over 73 million Americans either act as a DD or are driven home by one.
Being a designated driver is pretty easy – all you have to do is abstain from drinking alcohol and be responsible for making sure others get home safely. Many bars and restaurants even provide free non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers.
There are many advantages to having a designated driver. First, it keeps people from staying off of the road while they are intoxicated. This can save their friend's lives and keep them from facing arrest, injury or harming someone else. Second, if the driver abstains from drinking, it keeps others from determining who is the least impaired to drive. Another advantage is that it is simple to implement, costs nothing, and is effective.
What are some tips for designated drivers?
- Plan ahead when attending functions where alcohol will be served
- Make a commitment to yourself that you will not drink any alcohol before or during the event
- Ask others about taking turns being the designated driver
- Make sure there is more than one designated driver if there is a large group.
As a designated driver, you can also help out by taking car keys from intoxicated people to prevent them from becoming drunk drivers. There are many ways to do this. One is to be calm and make a joke out of it. Another is to find their keys while they are preoccupied. This will make them think they lost their keys and look for another way to get home. However you take the keys, just remember to avoid being confrontational or embarrassing the person.
Have you been a designated driver? Is selecting a DD part of your routine when going to an event where alcohol will be served?
