…to not get a DUI.
In 2016, 781 people died in drunk driving accidents in the month of December alone. It’s really no wonder why police set up sobriety checkpoints and crack down on drunk drivers during the holiday season.
The holidays are filled with celebrations with family, friends, and coworkers and when alcohol is involved, there’s always a chance that an evening of fun can turn tragic or if you’re lucky, just a DUI. A DUI can be an expensive lesson but the good news is that it’s completely within your power to prevent yourself from getting one.
Ways to Avoid a DUI
Don’t drink.
This may seem obvious, but during the holidays there is a lot of opportunity and pressure to imbibe. If you’re hosting a party, there are lots of festive holiday drinks and punches that are nonalcoholic. When attending a party hosted by someone else, bring a nonalcoholic beer. If you’re attending a gathering at a bar, ask for something that may look like a drink but isn’t like ginger ale, soda water, or juices.
Avoid parties.
Instead, find other fun ways to celebrate without alcohol. Night skiing or sledding, see a holiday show, or holiday events hosted by your city or town. Start new traditions.
Kick out the stress.
Look for ways to avoid holiday stress by getting your shopping done early or do it during non-peak hours. Online shopping is an easy way to avoid the crowds, just be sure to allow enough time for delivery before Christmas.
Fight the stress.
If you can’t avoid holiday stresses altogether, employ ways to counteract them like going for a walk or exercising, talk it out with someone who’ll listen, or take some quiet time for yourself with no distractions.
Be the designated driver.
It not only relieves the pressure to drink because you can’t but it also helps your friends or family avoid a DUI as well.
Plan ahead.
After you’ve had a few drinks is not the time to make arrangements for a ride home. If you’re going to be at a gathering where you’ll be drinking, make plans for a ride home whether it’s a designated driver or Lyft or taxi.
Don’t think you can handle it.
If you’re going to drink at all, don’t drive. None of this “I’ll only have two drinks” or “one drink an hour” nonsense and don’t think you can do some kind of mathematical calculation of how much you can drink with your weight and food consumption. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive.
Get help.
If you feel like you may have a dependency on drugs or alcohol, enroll in a program that will help you through it. Get the support you need to get through the holidays.
With a little planning ahead, you can avoid a costly DUI arrest. However, if you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Mercy Bail Bonds can help. Mercy is available 24/7 to get you out of jail fast. Call Mercy today at (727) 856-7775. We always answer.