When you go out with a group of your friends in Tennessee for a fun night of drinking and celebrating, one of the most important things you can do is choose a designated driver before you leave. This person is expected to stay sober enough to drive everyone home at the end of the night. Unfortunately, there may be times where a friend thinks they are sober enough to drive when they are not and could try to get behind the wheel. Because a DUI can lead to criminal charges, fines, injuries and even death, it is important to know how to stop someone from driving when they are drinking.
Safeco Insurance gives some tips for those who need to stop friends from driving under the influence. One option is for you to agree to be the designated driver yourself. If you do not trust your friends to stay sober even when they promise they will, your best bet may be to take control of the situation and collect all keys before you leave.
If you are all drinking and it is not safe for any of you to drive, it is possible to pay for a ride home. You can use a cab, call an Uber or Lyft driver or call another friend for a ride. Public transportation is also available in some areas to help you get home when you are intoxicated.
If your friends are partying and drinking at your home and they are tempted to drive home, offer them a couch or bed to sleep on so they can sleep off the alcohol. If they argue and insist on driving, you can take their keys before they go to sleep.
When you have a friend who claims they are sober enough to drive and you know different, stand firm in your efforts to stop them. If you are unable to do it yourself, enlist the help of other friends or even the police when necessary. They may be upset at the time, but they will thank you for it long-term.
