Last updated on July 23rd, 2022 at 09:46 am
You’re ready to spend a night out with your friends, and party the night away. However, after a night out, you’ll need to get home. Luckily for you, you’ve established someone as a designated driver. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same foresight as you, and many people get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Let’s be honest, you might have done it a couple of times too. Read on to learn why you need a designated driver and your options for getting home after a night on the town.
Death
Over 10,000 people are killed every single year by drunk drivers in the United States. That’s a death every 52 minutes. When you get behind the wheel while intoxicated, you are putting both your life and the lives of every driver you’ll interact with on the road in danger. Even if you do survive a fatal crash, you’ll spend years in court and (potentially) jail in addition to the guilt of taking another person’s life.
Loss of License
This definitely depends on the state you live in; however, many states will revoke your license after your first DUI, with some suspensions lasting as long as two years. This can lead to a loss of employment, less time with your family and friends and an inability to complete everyday tasks if you can’t snag a ride.
Financial Losses
That nest egg you’ve built up? You can kiss it goodbye when you get a DUI. Not only will you need to pay your fine, you’ll also have attorney fees, court costs and rehab/counseling bills that quickly add up. In addition to these fees, you can also face repercussions from your employer (especially if you need to drive for work) in addition to missing time due to court dates and community service programs.
Increased Insurance Rates
Insurance companies hate DUIs. It shows you’re an irresponsible driver. Therefore, insurance companies will increase your rates, sometimes by as much as three times what you’re currently paying.
How to Get Home
There are a few methods for you to get home after a night of drinking, including appointing a designated driver who stays with you all night or agrees to pick you up after a few hours. Other methods include public transportation or using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. When you ensure you have a safe ride home for the night, you’re not only protecting your own life, you’re also protecting everyone else on the road.
Unfortunately, many people get behind the wheel while intoxicated every single year, facing repercussions ranging from a suspended license to death. When you use a designated driver, public transport or rideshare service, you’ll be able to get home safely. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers get in accidents as well. If you’ve been involved in a crash and need a rideshare accident attorney, we’re here to help.
