If you are heading out to celebrate New Year’s Eve it is crucial to remember that drinking and driving do not mix. If you wish to drink alcohol, no matter how small the amount, it is best to have alternative transport arrangements in place to get back home afterward. That could be walking, booking a cab, or designating a driver who refrains from consuming.
Many people interpret drinking and driving warnings as a cue to remember not to drink too much so they can avoid arrest. They focus on staying below the legal limit because they know there may be officers on the lookout to arrest drivers who are over it. They forget that any amount of alcohol will affect their driving, making them less safe.
Remember alcohol could still be in your system next day
While spilled alcohol evaporates pretty quickly, it hangs around a lot longer if you put it into your body. Many people who drink on New Year’s Eve will still have alcohol in their system come the morning. Depending on what time they finished drinking and how much they drank, they might still be over the limit.
Even if they are not, you only have to think about some typical ways hangovers manifest – tiredness, being a bit slow, eyes struggling to focus and a thumping headache making it hard to concentrate – to realize that driving won’t be a good idea. All those things that make it hard for a person to get much done when they go to work after a big night, will also make them less safe drivers.
Avoiding drinking and driving yourself is only part of the battle because you will still be at the mercy of others who are not so cautious. If one of them injures you in a crash, be sure to learn more about your options for compensation.
