Last Updated on December 10, 2019 by Valarie Ward

We are always advocating for a healthier, drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. However, we do understand not everyone can live without the occasional alcoholic beverage. The problem is when social drinking suddenly goes terribly—even unexpectedly—wrong.

Drinking in moderation is acceptable as long as one drinks responsibly and remains confident they can indulge within reason. Drinking in small, intimate situations where no one has to be anywhere is fine. But when it comes to socializing, it’s easy to push your limits when with a large group and everyone else is binging. It’s best to avoid these situations altogether, but at the very least, continue to be responsible for yourself and others.

Drinking under the wrong circumstances, with the wrong crowd, and with impaired judgment can result in dire consequences. Consider the following story, which occurred earlier in the year:

The Jewelry Store Incident in Charlotte, NC

Back in February of this year, a drunk driver crashed into a jewelry store in Charlotte, NC. The driver, a woman, involved in the accident swerved across the median and crashed into the Pavel’s Jewelry parking lot. She survived and attempted to flee the scene of the accident, but she didn’t make it far before being captured by the police. The people that were the victim of the accident were told to go to https://www.earlandearl.com/car-accident-lawyer.html to find a lawyer to help them. After she had been caught, an ambulance came to take her away. But this was not the end of her tale, as she was then faced with charges, some of which included a DWI and speeding.

It’s an unhappy end to what was likely a very reckless evening. An evening that may very well have started in a very social setting.

Drunk Driving: When You’re Not Okay to Drive

Did you know each day 30 people are killed in drunk driving accidents in the U.S.? Every 51 minutes another person falls victim to an alcohol-related car crash.

The legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) when driving is 0.08 percent, though The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest further research to support a reduction to 0.05 percent. Even at 0.05 percent, a person will experience a reduction in coordination. Their ability to track objects in motion and respond to emergency situations is also affected. Additionally, a BAC of 0.05 can lower one’s alertness and inhibition, impairing judgment and causing minor muscle control loss and exaggerated behavior. All of this can make it much harder to pilot a vehicle.

When drinking, you should always have a designated driver or arrange for a taxi cab to take you home. The same goes for your friends. Make sure you prevent anyone who is intoxicated from driving. If you are hosting a get-together where others will be drinking, take responsibility for your guests and notify them ahead of time to make transportation arrangements. Offer alternative drinks to encourage non-alcoholic consumption.

If anyone ever tries to convince you they are okay to drive despite excessive drinking, do not let them fool you. Take away their keys, call a cab, and ensure they get home safe! DWI prevention is a community matter, which means each of us can aid in stopping it.