As we gear up for another weekend of tailgating and holiday festivities, young people… actually anyone really, are at risk for drinking and driving. Of the drivers with a blood alcohol concentration higher than 0.08%, one out of 3 were between the ages of 21 and 24, and on a college campus like LSU, the percentage only goes up. If you do plan on drinking this weekend for the Thanksgiving holidays or football tailgating events, all I ask is that you know the facts and make a smart executive decision if driving is involved.
What Can You Do To Reduce The Risk of Drunk Driving?
When it comes to anything around alcohol, NEVER plan on making any sort of wise decision. Being intoxicated will only limit your ability to think coherently and that is when bad decisions and bad judgments usually occur. So, what should you do? The best way to avoid any chances of driving under the influence is by planning ahead a few ways to help you and your friends from participating in dangerous activities.
1. Find A Designated Driver
The simple explanation of a Designated Driver or DD is someone who will NOT drink before going out. However, it’s not always that easy to find a designated driver because everyone wants to participate in the nightly activities, so it is important to not always put all that responsibility on the same person every time. Take turns being the DD! However, these plans always change and when you can’t find a driver, there are these wonderful apps that easily can help you get from Point A to Point B safely. Uber and Lyft are some of the best ways for you and your friends not to worry about driving and help eliminate the risk of drunk driving accidents.
2. Hold Each Other Accountable
However, Uber and Lyft are not always the cheapest option and that is yet another reason why people risk their lives and others by driving after a night of drinking. Anyone who is drinking should at this point be of legal drinking age (21) which also means that we can hold our friends accountable. If you notice your designated driver drinking, take their keys away from them and plan on spending the extra few dollars on an Uber or Lyft. Those few dollars are worth not getting into an accident.
3. Plan Alcohol-Free Activities
Unfortunately, drinking has been the new norm and the new cool. Everyone wants to participate. However, there are plenty of ways to have fun without involving drinking. These activities can be enjoying good conversations, exploring new places, or just simply communicating that drinking shouldn’t be the center of all of your friend’s activities.
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