Best Ways to Avoid Drinking and Driving
A DUI arrest may feel like a one time mistake, but this can also be a sign of a substance abuse problem for the offender. While a seasoned DUI lawyer can always help you out, acknowledging that you have a problem is crucial so you can address your drinking issues before it causes irreparable damage.
In the United States, a car crash caused by driving under the influence occurs every 23 minutes. Drunk driving also kills over 10,000 people each year. The deaths and damages caused by drunk driving amounts to more than $52 billion per year.
When Alcohol Consumption Becomes Unsafe
You know you have an alcohol problem when your drinking puts your health and safety at risk. Alcohol disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe. Some of the red flags of unhealthy alcohol drinking you need to watch out for include:
- Inability to control the amount of alcohol consumed
- Intense craving or urge to drink
- Failure to fulfill school, work, or home obligations due to repeated alcohol consumption
- Giving up hobbies and work or social activities to drink
- Developing a tolerance for alcohol that causes you to crave more alcohol
- Having withdrawal symptoms like shaking, nausea, and sweating
How You Can Avoid Becoming Another Drunk-Driving Statistic
- There should be no exception to the rule: If you have been drinking, you cannot drive.
- Designate a sober driver before any celebrations begin. Never attempt to drive even if you just had a few drinks. Get a taxi or stay with friends. You can also have family or friends pick you up.
- Most people can metabolize around one drink an hour (one shot of liquor, 12 ounces of beer, or 5 ounces of wine). Men and heavier people generally metabolize a little more. However, several factors, including diet and tolerance, can make it tricky to pinpoint precisely how much you should drink. A good game plan would be to have no more than one alcoholic drink per hour.
- If truth be told, time is the only way to sober up. Unfortunately, it’s not chugging water, taking a shower, or drinking coffee. As a general rule of thumb, you should wait for at least 2 to 3 hours before you get sober. However, this is just a general guideline. Time needed can still vary from one person to another.
Conclusion
Drinking and driving can destroy your life and that of others. The good thing is it can be prevented. Always keep the things mentioned above in mind, and you’ll never have to worry about the dire consequences of drinking and driving.
Share this Image On Your Site
