If you have been drinking and decide to drive on Indiana roads, you could be facing serious fines or even jail time if you are pulled over. The more serious issue is that driving under the influence can be deadly to you and the others on the road. One of the ways best to stay safe when you have a night of drinking planned is to use a designated driver. Even if you did not plan to drink, there are ways to get a ride home safely.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens, Nationwide Insurance and Mothers Against Drunk Driving completed a study showing that three out of four people use designated drivers. The study also showed that drugged driving is a problem as 9.9 million people have driven under the influence of drugs in the year before.
What can you do it you need a designated driver? The first thing is to plan and choose one friend who plans to stay sober and drive. If you have not planned and find yourself in a bind, you still should not get behind the wheel of car. Instead, try one of the following ideas:
- Call a trusted adult or a parent.
- Use public transportation if you are not alone.
- Call a cab, an Uber or a Lyft driver.
- See if your community offers local safe ride programs.
If all else fails, you can stay where you are for the night. Sleep off the alcohol or drugs and head home in the morning. Doing so can mean you not only stay alive, but out of jail.
This is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
