You already know what I’m talking about. So many TV shows and movies show characters drinking at a party, going to a bar after the party, and still somehow driving home afterwards. SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT! It’s all a big joke, and it’s portrayed as being both fun and funny. In reality, there’s nothing fun or funny about drunk driving; it’s dangerous, irresponsible, and completely preventable with a little intelligence and pre-planning (especially in the advent of Uber and Lyft).
Don’t get me wrong here; I’m not a wet blanket and I love my alcohol just as much as the next person. I don’t want to discourage you from having fun or, worse, tell you that you “don’t need alcohol to have fun.” 🙄 That’s true for some people, but it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to adopt that mindset. It’s completely realistic, however, for people to find a safe ride, whether it be with a trusted designated driver, an Uber, a Lyft, a taxi, a bus, a train, or any other form of public transportation that’s available in the area. Or, if none of those options are available, invite your friends over for the night and enjoy your drinks at home! That’s just a more affordable and more intimate option all around.
A friend of mine had the misfortune of getting caught in a moment of stupidity several years ago and got arrested for DWI. They discovered that a momentary lapse in judgement can fuck up your life severely for a really long time. This person went to jail, lost their driver’s license, lost a job, and had to pay thousands of dollars. To say it wasn’t worth it would be the understatement of the century. It might seem funny when it’s on TV, but nobody is laughing when they see the flashing lights behind their car. I’m being vague on the details for the sake of privacy, but I know how deeply it affected my friend, and they only agreed to have their story shared if I wrote it as vaguely as possible (understandably so).
It’s almost New Years Eve, one of the most popular drunken nights of the year, so I just want to encourage everyone to be safe. Don’t drink and drive! Even if it’s busy enough for surge rates and Uber/Lyft are more expensive than usual, it’s still cheaper than a DWI. If you can’t afford that, either find a designated driver you trust or plan a fun house party where no one has to drive. It’s a simple step you can take to protect others’ lives and protect your financial future.
So please, be smart and don’t drink and drive. There are more options out there than ever for safe transportation; take advantage of one of them. Have your drinks and have fun without the risk!
Here’s to a fun and safe New Years 2019! 🥂🎉🎉😁
Musings of a Dog Mom 
One of the things that attracted me the most to my husband was his stance on drunk driving. If you had more than one beer at his house he made you hand over your keys. I actually lost a friend to a drunk driver so his actions meant a lot to me. He does this because he had a DUI and learned from it as well. Thank you for your post on this topic!
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It’s an important topic! And that’s a good policy. I still know people who think it’s no big deal to drink and drive and think I’m overreacting when I choose to stay home because I’ve already had a couple. There’s really no excuse with Uber and Lyft available most places now.
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