Driving under the influence in Florida is not only illegal but it can also serious injuries to yourself and others. As a result, preventing drunk driving is the responsibility of all drivers. State Farm offers the following tips to help you avoid driving drunk, while also providing you the tools to help friends and family to do the same.
How to Tell If Someone Has Been Drinking
When driving, it helps to be on the lookout for signs of drunk driving behavior. If you see anything suspicious, pull over in a safe place and contact the authorities immediately (even if you only have a description of the vehicle and not the actual license plate number). Signs of drunk driving include swerving, stopping for no reason, driving without headlights at night, driving slowly, coming too close to the center line, weaving, and many other behaviors.
How to Protect Yourself
There are also steps you can take to prevent yourself from driving drunk. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a sober ride home. If you have too much to drink and don’t have a designated driver, call a cab or arrange a ride share. Additionally, never get in a vehicle with a person who’s been drinking. If at all possible, take the person’s keys to prevent them from operating a vehicle while drunk.
What to Do When Throwing a Party
If you’re holding a party at your home, be sure to offer your guests a wide variety of beverages (and not just those of the alcoholic variety). You should also provide a good selection of food, which can help guests curb how much they drink. It’s also a good idea to establish a designated driver before the party occurs or to make sure that your guests have a safe way home. In the event there is no other transportation alternative, be prepared to let inebriated guests spend the night at your home.