Reasons Not to Ride in a Car Driven by a Drunk Person

Reasons Not to Ride in a Car Driven by a Drunk Person

Drunk driving is a serious crime that harms and kills individuals every day, as well as endangering passengers on board vehicles.

This article will outline the key reasons for which it would be wise to avoid riding with a drunk driver, including both legal and personal risks involved.

1. You Put Your Life at Risk

Drunk drivers tend to lose focus when driving and could easily miss key information or lose control of the car, potentially missing important updates and losing control. Driving requires constant concentration to stay within one’s lane, manage speed effectively and observe traffic signals; alcohol can severely reduce one’s ability to concentrate which makes drinking and driving illegal.

Drunk individuals may make irrational decisions while drunk, such as getting into fights or killing people out of drunken rage. Unfortunately, many of these actions end in death; even though it was their decision to drink in the first place. It is everyone’s responsibility not to drink and drive.

If you suspect someone of being driving while impaired, first attempt to persuade them not to. If that fails, call the police; this will prevent arrest and save lives. It would also be wise to have alternative transportation arrangements ready such as taxi services or ridesharing options available should they become unavailable due to intoxicated driving. This will allow for smoother situations in case someone doesn’t drive responsibly themselves.

2. You Put Others at Risk

Drunk drivers place not only themselves but others at risk when behind the wheel. Due to being impaired, drunk drivers cannot react quickly enough or read or recognize traffic signals and signs, increasing risk and endangering lives around them.

One way you can help prevent drunk driving is to refuse rides from intoxicated drivers no matter how close they may be. Although this may be difficult, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and offer to drive, suggest carpooling arrangements or suggest taxi or ridesharing services instead.

Avoid driving on weekends, particularly Friday night and Saturday, since most accidents involving impaired drivers happen at these times.

When witnessing someone driving dangerously, it’s vitally important to contact law enforcement immediately. Doing so could save lives, as well as prevent an accident with them occurring. You can do this by giving details about their vehicle such as its make and model number, color and license plate number (if available).

3. You Put Yourself at Risk

Many drivers do not realize that even one drink can impair their driving abilities. Alcohol impairs judgment, making it harder to stay within your lane, manage speed properly, give other drivers enough room and attention and obey traffic signals as expected.

As soon as you step into a car driven by someone under the influence, your fate becomes their decision alone. No matter whether they decide to drive to another restaurant or turn around abruptly in a parking lot, you have no control over where it will head – this can sometimes even prove fatal as passengers have been kidnapped or murdered due to abrupt changes made by drunk drivers.

If you know someone who plans on driving after having had too much alcohol, try to convince them not to. Offer to take them or suggest they hire a cab if necessary; refusing their ride shows your distrust for them behind the wheel and may help curb further drinking and driving incidents.

However, some individuals might assume they can accurately judge how drunk a friend is and won’t ride with them if they know they have exceeded the alcohol limit. While this approach might work in certain instances, assuming you know when someone’s drunk can be risky.

4. You Put Yourself at Risk of Legal Consequences

Drunk driving can be both risky and illegal. Being found with an impaired driver could result in fines or jail time; thus it is best to plan ahead when attending parties by designating one driver before starting to drink or persuading your friends not to get behind the wheel under influence.

One drink can seriously diminish a person’s reaction time and coordination, make distance judging difficult and lead them to have trouble focusing on the road. Furthermore, impaired drivers have trouble seeing other vehicles on the road and can misjudge how fast they need to slow down, change lanes or turn. That is why it is wise to stay back several car lengths if you suspect an impaired driver on your route.

If you suspect your friend might drive under the influence, consider hiding their keys as a reminder they cannot drive and they must find another means of getting home safely. Additionally, contact local law enforcement if they see them out and about; give a description of their vehicle and any suspicious behaviors seen from them on the road.