New Year’s Eve. A wonderful evening of being with friends and family, reminiscing about the year behind and wistfully expecting the year ahead.
But for some, this fun-filled night will end in disaster and tragedy.
That disaster may take the form of a DUI, or worse – a drunk driving accident that injures or even claims lives. Whether you’re the drunk driver, a passenger, or a sober driver of another car, you can be a victim of the poor judgment associated with drinking and driving.
HERE ARE 10 NEW YEAR’S EVE SAFETY TIPS:
- Stay in. Whether at home or a friend’s house for a New Year’s Eve party, make plans to stay put. If you’re not home, get permission from the host to bring a sleeping bag and pillow and crash on the floor. If you’re hosting, make accommodations for your guests to spend the night as well.
- Use a driving service. Uber, Lyft or simply call a taxi service to get you home safely.
- Don’t drink. The easiest way to prevent a DUI or drunk driving incident on your end is to simply not drink! If you’re under 21, it’s against the law for you to consume alcohol anyway, so don’t jeopardize your future with a few useless beers.
- Have a Designated Driver.
- Try to avoid being on the road between the hours of 8pm – 2am. Auto accidents due to alcohol consumption are the highest during that time.
- Watch out for intoxicated pedestrians or bicyclists.
- Be careful with what you’re sharing on social media, on New Year’s Eve.
- Keep your pets inside, or away from fireworks and other loud noises.
- Please take the keys away from a friend, if you feel that he or she is too intoxicated to drive.
- Offer two types of cups at your party. One for alcoholic drinks and one for non-alcoholic drinks. This will not only prevent children from having alcoholic beverages, but you also need to be sensitive to anyone that may have a alcohol or substance abuse problem.
NOT SURE HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
If going out drinking is a regular occurrence for you, we hope you’re taking responsible precautions to avoid getting behind the wheel. Investing in a portable breathalyzer test is one option for you. These range in price from $30 to $150. Keep in mind, however, that the BAC (blood alcohol content) results from portable breathalyzers are often inaccurate. Police use them to confirm the presence of alcohol, but they do not rely on them for BAC – that is why blood tests are given upon arrest for DUI.
Several factors will affect your BAC, such as height and weight, age and gender. “Rules of thumb” and online BAC calculators may be inaccurate, as everyone is different. Also remember that once you sober up from drinking alcohol, you might be very tired. In that case, it is still unwise to drive.
If there is ANY doubt whatsoever, PLEASE don’t risk it.