Posted on June 12, 2017 in Drunk Driving

How to Avoid Drunk Driving Accidents During Summertime

It’s summertime when friends and neighbors enjoy celebrations, parties, backyard barbecues, and get-togethers of all kinds. And very often, they include alcohol. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a cold beer on a hot day? Unfortunately, amidst the fun, Memorial Day through Labor Day holidays typically see the highest number of traffic fatalities compared to any other time of the year.

Summertime Traffic Fatalities

A drink or two might add to the fun for some people—as long as it is actually no more than a drink or two. But guests need to drive home at the end of the party, and truth be told, many lose track of the number of drinks they’ve had; and they may easily lose perspective and think nothing of getting behind the wheel when they’ve had one or two too many—or more. When this happens, a fun summer get-together can easily turn to tragedy. The fact that drinking and driving don’t mix is so well known that saying it again may come off sounding like a cliché. But cliché or not, it’s one that needs to be taken very, very seriously. There are many things you can do to prevent drunk driving.

What To Do When You’re the Host

When you’re planning a party, plan to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available: juice, bottled water, soft drinks, non-alcoholic punch, and so forth. Phoenix DUI attorneys say Arizona has Social Host Liability Laws that can hold you liable for someone leaving your party drunk. Don’t pressure guests to drink. Other precautions you can take as a host include:

• Provide plenty of food, including lots of snacks and appetizers. Server a meal early on, or try to get your guests snacking before you bring out the booze so no one is drinking on an empty stomach.
• Never serve alcohol to guests who are under the legal drinking age.
• Be aware of who is drinking and how much. If you have a family member or other guests who don’t drink, enlist them to help you provide rides for those who need them.
• Have Uber, Lyft, or your local cab company on speed dial. Your treat.
• Don’t be shy about taking the keys away from a drunk guest. Sure, there is a chance of their being unhappy with you. But once they sober up, they’ll realize that you acted as a good friend should.

What To Do When You’re the Guest

If you’re a guest at a party where alcohol is being served, you can also help to ensure that everyone gets home safely. For example:

• Plan to go with a group of friends and have someone who doesn’t care to drink much agree to be the designated driver for the group.
• Take the keys from anyone who appears unfit to drive. Be low key and non-confrontational. If you can surreptitiously get your hand on the key without their noticing, so much the better. If you don’t know the person well, enlist the help of their friends.
• If you came to the party with a friend, spouse, or other family members who has had too much to drink, refuse to get into car with them.
• Have the Uber or Lyft apps on your phone, and don’t hesitate to call for a ride if you or another guest should need one.
• If you are not drinking, offer rides to those who are so they can avoid traffic violations.

Help Prevent Drunk Driving Injuries and Deaths

Don’t let an alcohol-related tragedy ruin the happy times with your family and friends. Do your part to ensure a joyful and safe summer for everyone, and make it your own rule never to drink and drive. With Arizona having some of the toughest drunk driving laws in the nation, you will not only be helping to reduce drunk driving deaths and injuries, but may also be helping a friend, family member, neighbor, or colleague avoid a holiday DUI!

Contact the Criminal Defense Lawyers at Orent Law Offices In Phoenix To Get Legal Assistance Today

For more information, contact the criminal defense attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.