Alcohol can make a person feel invisible, and this temporary rise in confidence can make them believe they are capable of driving, even when they are not. If you find yourself in a situation where a friend has had too much to drink and wants to drive, it’s important to take action. Alcohol-impaired driving is dangerous and claims 32 lives every day. That's one death every 45 minutes. Below are some tips for what you can do:
Express Concern
You may be tempted to say nothing for fear of damaging the friendship, but it's important to express your concern. It's better to risk a damaged friendship than to risk someone's life.
Try to broach the subject in a non-judgmental way, emphasizing your concern for their safety. Remind them that you care about them and don't want anything bad to happen to them. You can also point out that drunk driving is against the law and can result in serious consequences, including jail time. Hopefully, they'll see reason and agree not to drive in their condition.
Offer to Be the Designated Driver
If your friend is still adamant about driving, offer to be the designated driver. If you've both been drinking, you should find an alternate form of transportation. You may have to pay for the ride, but it's worth it to know that your friend will get home safely. In the meantime, try to keep them occupied and distracted until the car arrives. You could also offer to let them spend the night at your place so they don’t have to drive home.
Don’t Be Confrontational
Heavy drinking can deplete Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), making a person more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. If you stand firm and insist that your friend cannot drive in their condition, they may become agitated. The best thing to do in this situation is to remain calm and avoid being confrontational.
Grab the Keys
If your friend is still adamant about driving, it may be time for you to take charge. Try to grab the keys from your friend. This can be a difficult situation, so it’s important to be as calm and level-headed as possible.
Get Backup
Having other people present will show your friend that you're serious about not wanting them to drive. It can also be helpful to have someone else there who can serve as a voice of reason.
Call Law Enforcement
If all else fails and your friend is still insistent on driving, it may be time to call the police. It is important to remember that you are not betraying your friend by doing this - you are simply looking out for their safety, as well as the safety of others on the road.
Alcohol can be a very slippery slope. If you have a friend who has had too much to drink and is insistent on driving, These tips can help keep them, yourself, and others safe on the road.
St. Louis Drunk Driving Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been involved in a St. Louis car accident caused by a drunk driver, The Hoffmann Law Firm is here to help. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 to speak with an experience St. Louis car accident lawyer.
Express Concern
You may be tempted to say nothing for fear of damaging the friendship, but it's important to express your concern. It's better to risk a damaged friendship than to risk someone's life.
Try to broach the subject in a non-judgmental way, emphasizing your concern for their safety. Remind them that you care about them and don't want anything bad to happen to them. You can also point out that drunk driving is against the law and can result in serious consequences, including jail time. Hopefully, they'll see reason and agree not to drive in their condition.
Offer to Be the Designated Driver
If your friend is still adamant about driving, offer to be the designated driver. If you've both been drinking, you should find an alternate form of transportation. You may have to pay for the ride, but it's worth it to know that your friend will get home safely. In the meantime, try to keep them occupied and distracted until the car arrives. You could also offer to let them spend the night at your place so they don’t have to drive home.
Don’t Be Confrontational
Heavy drinking can deplete Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), making a person more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. If you stand firm and insist that your friend cannot drive in their condition, they may become agitated. The best thing to do in this situation is to remain calm and avoid being confrontational.
Grab the Keys
If your friend is still adamant about driving, it may be time for you to take charge. Try to grab the keys from your friend. This can be a difficult situation, so it’s important to be as calm and level-headed as possible.
Get Backup
Having other people present will show your friend that you're serious about not wanting them to drive. It can also be helpful to have someone else there who can serve as a voice of reason.
Call Law Enforcement
If all else fails and your friend is still insistent on driving, it may be time to call the police. It is important to remember that you are not betraying your friend by doing this - you are simply looking out for their safety, as well as the safety of others on the road.
Alcohol can be a very slippery slope. If you have a friend who has had too much to drink and is insistent on driving, These tips can help keep them, yourself, and others safe on the road.
St. Louis Drunk Driving Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been involved in a St. Louis car accident caused by a drunk driver, The Hoffmann Law Firm is here to help. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 to speak with an experience St. Louis car accident lawyer.