We are rushing forward, craving for progress, creating it. We inflow into that progress, but later on, we create the new one — that is how this world develops.

Despite that, we shouldn’t forget that we are humans with own bugs. Sometimes, our actions do not lead to any progress; sometimes, they only lead to devastation and loss.

According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention statistics, there are 2 car crashes happening every minute in this world, which makes 3700 people in a day and 1.35 million lives in a year.

The most common motor vehicle crash puller is alcohol. And that is terrifying!

I would like to focus this article on this dreadful habit of us — drunk driving: how to prevent and combat it.

First of all, there 2 different options that can appear:

You are the one who wants to drive drunk;

There is someone (whom you may even know personally) who can be considered one of those drunk drivers.

I will give the options separately. What is more, while I'm writing this article, there are hundreds of law, sociology, healthcare students writing his/her essay on drunk driving. So as you may see, this topic is really up to date. If you are curious about the prevention of drunk driving, there are plenty of articles, reports, and essay examples dealing with it; you can check them too!

So, ways to combat your drunk driving:

— Check the allowed Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the state/ region/ country you are.

The thing is, the amount of alcohol you can consume in Germany (0.5mg) may differ from that in Nevada, USA (0.8mg). So before drinking, you better check the requirements, not to fail the field sobriety test.

— Give someone your keys.

There is no need to write an essay about the alcohol impact on our reaction and situation control. So if you simply aren’t sure if you can remain under your own control after a glass of beer or a shot of vodka — delegate responsibility and give the car keys to your sober friend.

— Stop drinking 90 minutes before you have to leave.

If you cannot reject the drinking option, but still have to get home on your own — take your time. OR you stop drinking 90 min before heading home, OR you rest 90 min after you drink and then head home.

— Take public transit.

If you keep shouting: ` it’s so sample to drive home!!! I can do this!` and you do not even notice that it’s simple, better take a cab or at least public transport. Remember that on the road, you are responsible not only for your safety but for the safety of people around you. So think twice. 

— Don’t drink on an empty stomach

It is a scientific fact that that alcohol is absorbed by the body more slowly on a full stomach. If you’re hungry or dehydrated, the booze will go straight into your bloodstream and hit you harder. If you eat a big meal before drinking, you won’t get drunk that quickly.

And now, a piece of advice on how to help people around you to get home safe after drinking:

— Order a cab.

The same rule works here: if your friend/ relative or companion is not able to drive — offer him/her a cab. 

— Offer to stay.

If you're the sober one, even more — you are holding the party — be ready to offer a bed (or at least a couch) to your guests. Remember, in such cases, you are most likely to be the responsible body of it.

— Call the police.

Sometimes the exuberant drunks happen. If you do not feel keeping the situation under control – the best solution is to call the police.

— Give a lift.

If you are the designated driver — give a hand and offer the lift.

— Plan safe parties.

That includes non-alcohol drink options + stop serving alcohol before the last hour of the party.

— Talk to your teen-kids.

…about your standards for alcohol use and why you have these standards. Parents can be very influential over their child’s drinking behavior and decisions about alcohol and driving. Even more powerful is the example that parents set for safe alcohol use. 

But, please, do not try to be autocratic and do not restrict your kid too hard. Remember that you’ve been a teen, too and that it's always better to be a supportive friend rather than a strict teacher to your kid.

To sum up, remember that drunk driving can lead to irreversible consequences. And if we want to make a global impact on this situation, we should start from ourselves.

Drive safe!