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5-tips-to-avoid-drunk-driving-accidents
12/31/2019

Five tips to avoid drunk driving accidents - VB Attorneys

Brian Beckcom

Brian Beckcom

12/31/2019

In previous articles we mentioned that a study completed by the Houston Chronicle lists the Houston metro area as the worst in the nation for deadly car accidents. When you factor in the busy holiday season and the higher rate of alcohol use during it, you have a recipe for disaster. In fact, the Chronicle’s analysis shows that the Houston region had more fatal drunken-driving crashes during the last 16 years than any other major metropolitan area in the country.

While these numbers are very scary, there are also ways to plan ahead and avoid the temptation to drive drunk.  By following these tips, you can help keep yourself and everyone else safe on the roads.

  1. Have a plan.

Planning ahead is the best way to avoid drunk driving. Appoint a responsible friend to be your designated driver. If no one volunteers, you be the designated driver. It is better to spend a night without drinking than to injure or kill someone (or yourself) in a drunk driving accident. Keep an eye on your designated driver. If you find them drinking, have a back up plan and call a cab or an Uber.

  1. Download the Uber or Lyft app ahead of time.

If you are unable to find a reliable designated driver or if everyone plans to drink, take an Uber or Lyft.  Download the app ahead of time and set up your account. Taking a few minutes to do so will ensure you won’t have to set up an account when you are drunk and may decide it is too much trouble. Both companies usually offer coupon codes or discounts for most holidays and celebrations. If you don’t want to take an Uber, program the number to several taxi companies in your phone or pre-arrange public transportation before going out for the night.

  1. Charge your phone before heading out.

The worst thing you can do is be under the influence of alcohol with a dead cell phone. Make sure your battery is completely charged so you can arrange an Uber or contact your designated driver. Be sure you exchange phone numbers with members of your group so that all leave safely together.

  1. Call someone you trust.

After having a few too many drinks, you might feel ashamed to pick up the phone to call a friend or family member for help. Don’t be. Your friend or family member would much rather see you get home safe and sound than to drive drunk and risk injuring or killing yourself or someone else.

  1. Give someone your keys.

Find someone trustworthy who isn’t drinking, maybe the designated driver, and hand over your keys for the night. Have them put keys in a safe spot only they know about to help you avoid the temptation to drive home drunk.

No drink is worth ruining your life or someone else’s.

The last thing anyone wants to do is spend a night in jail for a D.U.I. or lose their license. But honestly, that is the very least of your worries if you get behind the wheel and drive drunk. Approximately every 20 minutes  an alcohol impaired driver injures or kills someone on a Texas road. Drunk driving is dangerous for you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. You don’t want to be responsible for taking the life of someone else.

Contact an experienced car accident attorney if you are injured by a drunk driver.

If the worst does happen and you or a loved one injured or killed by a drunk driver please know that you are not alone. Our knowledgeable car accident attorneys have years of experience holding irresponsible drivers accountable for their actions. We will be glad to talk with you about how we can help you get your life back on track. Feel free to give us a call at 877.724.7800 or fill out a free, confidential case evaluation form.

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