All drivers out on the road have a basic responsibility to drive with care and caution and to never take actions that would endanger the life or safety of any other person. Unfortunately, some drivers may make poor decisions that cause tragic accidents. Drinking and driving causes serious driver impairment that can result in serious injuries and even death for anyone involved in an accident.

Drinking and Driving

If you are planning on drinking, be sure to have a safe ride home:

• Assign a designated sober driver. Make sure to choose a person you trust who pledges not to drink alcohol throughout the night in order to provide a safe ride for you and your friends. Consider switching off the role of designated driver between friends over different nights.
• Take public transportation. Get to know your city's bus system, or take a taxi to your final destination.
• Spend the night at a friend's house rather than attempting to drive home.

If you do plan on driving home after a night out, it is of the utmost importance to monitor the number and type of drinks you consume and to space out your drinks over time. During a night out, it is easy to get caught up in having fun and lose track of how much alcohol you are actually consuming. Keep track of the number and type of drinks you have and make sure that you are considerably under the legal BAC limit before you attempt to drive.

Do not allow another person to become the victim of pain, suffering, or injury because of your own extreme carelessness. Never drink and drive, and always encourage your friends to make smart decisions about alcohol.