The last few weeks of summer often mean extra social events. There’s the final weekend of the summer, going-away parties for high school grads, closing-up-the-cottage barbecues; as the weather cools, people will take just about any excuse to host a get-together. All of the extra events can mean more opportunities for alcohol to be served, though, and that can mean more drunk driving collisions in Coral Gables and Florida. To avoid being involved in a drunk driving accident during these last few weeks before autumn, you will want to:
1) Make an agreement with a friend.
Positive social pressure can be a good way to prevent drinking and driving. Have friends looking out for you at a party or hand your car keys to the host to ensure that you have someone else helping you make a safe decision. The reality is that after drinking most people find not only their driving ability but also their decision-making ability impaired. Driving home after you have been drinking may not seem like a “big deal” to you if you are affected by alcohol, so having someone else looking out for your well-being can be invaluable.
2) Pack a blanket and some cash in your emergency car kit.
Some cash and a list of hotels and taxi numbers can help you get home safely if you have been drinking. The blanket can help you sleep in your car if you have no other way of getting home safely. Having these items handy can mean less temptation to drive home after drinking.
3) Don’t rely on walking home.
Walking home can seem like a better choice than driving, but drinking affects your motor skills, which can affect your walking as much as your driving. Walking home after drinking can put you at risk of pedestrian accident in Coral Gables or your community. It’s simply too easy to wander into traffic or even trip and fall, injuring your head. Walking home after drinking can also make you more vulnerable to mugging, assault, and other crimes.
4) Plan before you head out.
The time to plan is now – before you leave the house and before you drink. Leaving plans to the last minute means you may not have enough cash on hand to call a cab or may not have the number of a friend to drive you home.
5) Plan to get guests home safely if you will be hosting.
If you are planning on hosting any event, make sure that you keep guests safe. Offer to call a cab and collect car keys if you will be serving alcohol. If you live somewhere remote, consider having a designated driver or hire a shuttle service to get guests home safely. Prepare a guest room or guest beds if the party will run late. As a host, you have a duty to prevent DUI collisions from harming your guests.
Have you been injured by a drunk driver or hit and run driver in South Florida? There are options available to you. To learn what those options may be, contact the full service law firm of Flaxman Law Group to review your case with a member of our legal team. We are pleased to offer initial consultations at no charge and with no obligation.