There are various situations that might leave you uncertain about how to handle being around intoxicated individuals. We're here to offer guidance on some of the most prevalent drunk driving scenarios you may encounter. It's essential to know how to address potential drunk driving situations to promote safety on the road for everyone.

My Friend Doesn't Believe They're Drunk

You're at a gathering, and your friend has had a bit too much to drink. Despite this, they insist they're fine and able to drive home. They head to their car, ready to drive away.

We cannot emphasize this enough: do everything in your power to prevent your friend from getting behind the wheel. Attempt various approaches to take their keys away. Use humor, be serious, confuse them, distract them. Remind them that drunk driving endangers not only their life but also the lives of everyone else on the road. In their hands, the key becomes a weapon. Impaired judgment leads to poor decision-making.

Offer to drive them home safely yourself. If you don't have a car, volunteer to drive theirs. If you can't drive, call a taxi or rideshare service.

Intoxicated individuals can become aggressive. If your friend is adamant about driving, call the police. Doing so could prevent a severe accident on the road. Remember, you're not reporting your friend to the authorities, but rather alerting them to a hazardous situation and promoting driver safety. If your friend drives while intoxicated, they could lose their life.

I Think I Witnessed Drunk Driving

You're on your evening walk with your dog in your usually quiet neighborhood. The only sound you hear is your dog's panting. Suddenly, a car races toward you, driving erratically. The driver accelerates, decelerates, swerves, runs stop signs, and seemingly breaks every traffic rule.

It seems the driver is intoxicated. However, you can't be entirely sure. Perhaps it's just a new driver still learning or someone adjusting to driving a manual transmission vehicle.

Regardless, the appropriate action is to call the police and report the unusual behavior. Providing the license plate number, if available, is helpful. However, any description, including the car's direction, will be useful. The police can then determine the reason behind the unsafe driving and intervene accordingly.

Take Every Necessary Measure

Ensuring everyone's safety on the road is a collective responsibility. If you witness an impaired driver attempting to operate a vehicle or are already on the road, it's crucial to help stop them. Not only are they breaking the law, but they're also putting lives at risk through unsafe driving.

Each year in this country, thousands of people die in alcohol-related driving accidents, and hundreds of thousands suffer injuries. If we can contribute to reducing that number by preventing a drunk driver from getting behind the wheel, everyone benefits.