Last Updated on December 20, 2018 by Keisha Mclean-Green

Did you know? Every half hour, 1 person dies in a crash caused by a DWI over the Labor Day weekend? That number is twice as high as any other weekend throughout the year, making Labor Day weekend one of the most dangerous weekends for drivers, says Parker Scheer LLP. To help prevent DWI/DUI accidents, the highway and safety patrol will increase DWI checkpoints beginning the end of August through the first week in September.

Recently the U.S. Department of Transportation kicked off it’s annual nationwide ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Crackdown. In a recent press release, NHTSA’s Acting Administrator David Friedman, warned: “Do not make one of the last wonderful days of summer the final tragic day of your life – or someone else’s – by driving after drinking. Remember to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

Here’s how you can prevent yourself and loved ones from getting a DWI this weekend.

1. Plan ahead.
If you attend a party or event outside of the home, choose a designated driver who you know does not drink. Don’t drive yourself or you’ll be tempted to drive home. The truth is if you’re too drunk to drive, you may not be coherent enough to know you’ve had too much. Plan ahead so you can get home safely and stay out of trouble.

2. Don’t drink too much.
The legal driving limit in most states is .08% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). That’s the equivalent of 2-3 beers or 3 glasses of wine, depending on your age, height, weight and drinking habits. Keep in mind, even if you are not at the legal limit, most state law enforcement officers can arrest you for what’s considered “buzzed” drinking and driving at a level as low as .05%. The less you drink, the sooner you’ll be sober enough to drive.

3. Wait until you’re sober.
For an average 30 year old man that weighs 190 pounds, it takes about 2 hour for the liver to process the alcohol from one beer. This means if you drink 3 beers, you’ll need to wait at least 6-8 hours before you’re sober enough to drive, depending on your age, height, and weight.

4. Call a cab.
The next best thing to a designated driver is a taxi driver. Take advantage of the national network of taxi drivers at SoberRides.org

5. Spend the night.
If you’re in a safe place among friends or family, stay put. The best thing to do when you’ve had too much to drink is sleep it off. If you’re not in a place where you can spend the night, consider checking yourself into a nearby hotel (if there is one), or follow suggestion #4 above and call a cab.

6. Tell your friends to save you from yourself.
The NHTSA reports that drinking and driving is often caused by people who have a habit of alcohol abuse or misuse. If you know you have a hard time controlling yourself, ask someone you trust to help you by limiting your alcoholic drinks or by taking your keys if it looks like you’ve had too much. Remember the “Real friends don’t let friends drive drunk!” campaign? It’s true.

7. Stay home.
Why not plan your Labor Day weekend party at home? If you do host a party, look out for your guests and limit the amount of alcohol you serve to each person. Keep an eye on them and don’t let them drive home unless they are sober.

With just a little planning ahead you can keep yourself and others safe. You can prevent a DWI, you just have to be willing to think about the risks involved with drinking and driving. Be smart. Just like every day, drink responsibly and drive safely this Labor Day weekend.