Tips for planning a sober ride home during the holidays
With many holiday seasons peppered in throughout the end of this year, celebration is often in order! Gatherings with family and friends spring up, bringing hugs, food, and more specifically, drinks. And while the revelry is enjoyable, you might be visiting loved ones out of state, and need to return to a hotel room after the celebration winds down.
Whether you’ve had two beers or several shots of liquor, taking the full time to sober up is crucial. If you don’t, you might put yourself and others in danger when you turn the key in the ignition. Here’s what to keep in mind when the liquor is flowing later this year.
Tips for safety during the holiday season
- Be more on your game : Hours fly by when you’re with your family, so it might be hard to keep track of what you’ve consumed. But if you must be elsewhere after the party is over, watch the clock. Check your phone or make mental notes of how long it’s been since you grabbed your last drink.
- Get an app : There are many apps available that will allow you to check your sobriety. You might say “I’m okay to drive” but these phone applications will give you a better idea.
- Eating a lot will only delay alcohol absorption: Drinking on an empty stomach tends to bring on feelings of intoxication a lot faster. Which has led some to believe that they can prevent heavy intoxication with a big meal. This isn’t true.
As the holiday seasons approach, you’ll likely attend gatherings with ample liquor. If you don’t plan on staying the night, making sure you’re in good condition to drive is critical. If you plan on drinking, the best choice is to ask for a ride or to get a cab (or similar ridesharing service). But if that isn’t available, being more vigilant about your consumption is a must. If on your way back you get pulled over and charged with a DUI, you can learn more about what awaits you and the options for your defense by contacting a legal professional.