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You never want to be involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting from your own intoxication. Although you might promise yourself you’re not the type to get behind the wheel while drunk, you could make a mistake one day.
That doesn’t need to happen. To avoid causing a drunk driving accident that could result in harm to yourself and others, keep the following tips in mind.
It’s important to understand that if there is any question whatsoever regarding whether you are sober enough to drive, you should not get behind the wheel. However, there may be instances when you attend a social event and have a drink or two a few hours before leaving. By the time you are ready to leave, you may be pretty certain that you are sober and can drive safely, but would nevertheless like the peace of mind that comes from knowing your assumption is based in fact, and not just your personal feelings.
That’s why you should invest in a small personal breath-testing device. Although some of these devices don’t deliver particularly accurate readings, others are far more accurate than you may realize. Research your options and purchase one you can take with you whenever you plan on going somewhere drinks will be served.
It may not be perfectly accurate, but if you buy the right device and calibrate it regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it will at least tell you if you’re sober enough to drive. You can also suggest that others test themselves with this device to prevent friends and family from driving when they shouldn’t be.
Most people know that assigning someone the role of a designated driver is a smart way to ensure they will be able to rely on a sober friend to drive them safely when they are unable to do so themselves.
In theory, picking someone to be a designated driver is a wise decision. However, some people take this responsibility more seriously than others. Some “designated drivers” try to convince their friends that they will be perfectly capable of driving safely if they have a few drinks themselves. Unfortunately, they may end up becoming more intoxicated than planned.
Don’t just assume someone will respect the importance of their role when choosing them to be your designated driver. Select a designated driver you’re confident you can trust to avoid alcohol.
Don’t make relying on your designated driver your sole means of getting home safely when you’re going out for a night of drinking. Always make sure you have another option to turn to if your designated driver proves incapable of performing their duties.
In the age of services such as Uber and Lyft, this is easier than ever. You might not want to pay for the cost of a ride with one of these services, but the minimal fare you will pay pales in comparison to the potential cost of being involved in a drunk driving accident.
All that said, even if you are a responsible individual who never gets behind the wheel when intoxicated, you can’t prevent others from doing so. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, our team of San Francisco car accident lawyers at Allegiance Law is on hand to help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Contact us online or call us at 415-404-6395 for more information about what we can do for you.
Posted in Car Accident