How to Avoid Drinking and Driving
For many of us, alcohol plays a reasonable role in our lives. It can be a social lubricant, an object of gourmet appreciation, or simply a way of kicking back after a hard day at work. We all know that drinking and driving don’t mix, but sometimes circumstances cause us to forget this or to make compromises that put others at risk.
Ultimately, there’s no excuse for drunk driving. There are, however, plenty of ways to avoid getting a DUI while still enjoying a night out on the town. Here’s a quick rundown of the best ways to stop drinking and driving before it starts.
Stay Close to Home
Choose to drink in your neighborhood. Not only will you avoid having to drive, but you’ll also get to enjoy a refreshing walk home at the end of the night. Taplister.com is an online directory of craft brewers that’s searchable by ZIP code — you can also check Yelp.com, Thrillist and other online resources to search for new restaurants and bars to explore. Who knows, you might discover your new favorite watering hole right in your backyard.
Uber It!
The popular ride sharing app UberX recently launched in York, Lancaster and Reading, giving everyone with a smartphone the opportunity to save money on expensive, unreliable cabs and get door-to-door service to anywhere in the area. Once you’ve downloaded the free app to your phone, getting started only takes a few minutes. Best of all, once your credit card information is stored in the system, you never have to worry about having cash or change on hand — billing is taken care of automatically.
Keep Track of How Much You Drink
Ideally, anyone who chooses to drink should find a way home that doesn’t involve driving themselves. However, if you’re over 21, it’s technically legal to operate a vehicle provided your BAC is under the legal limit. Depending on how quickly your body processes alcohol, this can mean anywhere from one drink to three over the course of the night.
Too often, however, it’s easy to lose track of time and of the amount we’ve consumed, which can potentially push you over the limit without realizing it. One way to avoid this is by using an app like Intellidrink or Drinking Buddy, which tracks your consumption and alerts you when your BAC exceeds a preset limit. Men’s Fitness magazine has a great rundown of available programs on their website.
Know the Consequences
Apps and rideshares are all great ways to avoid drinking and driving, but when it comes down to it, the better informed you are about the risks of driving drunk, the more you’ll be able to resist the temptation to get behind the wheel. In 2013, our state experienced 381 deaths and over 7,900 injuries as a result of drunk driving. If convicted, a https://mpl-law.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/dui-defense/DUI conviction in PA can result in penalties ranging from a $300 fine to up to 10 years in jail, if an injury or fatality is involved.
If you find yourself on the receiving end of a DUI charge, we can help. With over 25 years of representing clients in the York, PA area, MPL Law Firm is experienced in helping clients find the most favorable outcome to their criminal charges. Contact us today or call us at 717-845-1524 to schedule a consultation today.
Note: This post is intended to provide useful tips for readers, and is under no circumstance to be interpreted as legal advice or as establishing an attorney-client relationship.
Leave a Reply