Hosting a party is always a fun way to bring people together, but it’s important to remember that there can be risks involved. One of the biggest dangers is drunk driving, which can lead to serious accidents and injuries.
In this article, we will discuss some tips for preventing drunk driving at your next party.
1. Collect Car Keys As Guests Arrive
No one likes to be the party pooper, but when it comes to drunk driving, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re hosting a party, one way to help prevent your guests from driving under the influence is to collect their car keys as they arrive. That way, you can be sure that everyone has a designated driver or a way to get home safely before the festivities begin.
Of course, this won’t stop everyone from trying to sneak out with their keys, so make sure you keep them in a secure place so that your guests have to come to you before they get their keys back.
2. Serve Plenty of Food, But Not Too Many Salty Snacks
We all know that drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, so make sure you serve plenty of food at your party. This will help to soak up some of the alcohol and prevent your guests from getting overly inebriated.
Burgers, steaks, barbecue, and pot roasts are all great for keeping guests full —which may even make them feel less inclined to drink heavily.
However, it’s important not to serve too many salty snacks, as they can actually make guests thirsty and cause them to drink more.
3. Don’t Make Alcohol The Main Event
This is probably the clearest way to prevent drunk driving. Use the forces of social pressure to your advantage. Sure, serve alcohol but also provide other options. Make sure you have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages available for your guests, including soda, water, and juice. This will help to prevent dehydration, which can make alcohol intoxication even worse.
If alcohol is the main event at your party, you can integrate “water breaks” into your party. Here’s an idea: every hour, pause the music, get everyone’s attention, and pass out glasses of water for everyone to finish together. It’s a fun way to keep everyone hydrated and might just save some of your friends from that dreaded hangover the next day.
4. Have a Taxi or Rideshare Service On Standby
Even if you take all of the precautions in the world, there’s always a chance that someone will try to drive home after drinking too much. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place for getting your guests home safely.
One option is to have a taxi or rideshare service on standby so that anyone who has had too much to drink can get a ride home. You can even offer to pay for the first few rides yourself — it’s worth it to know that everyone is getting home safely.
5. Actively Remind Guests Not to Drink and Drive
Throughout the party, make sure to actively remind your guests not to drink and drive. You can do this in a number of ways, such as making announcements, hanging up a few signs, or even just talking to people individually. Remind them that because they were at your party, you can be held liable in case of an accident.
The more you can remind your guests about the dangers of drunk driving, the more likely they are to make the right decision and call a cab instead. If you have been injured by a drunk driver in California, you can make sure you get the representation and compensation you deserve by visiting JT Legal Group.
6. Stop Serving Alcohol Early
As the night goes on, people will naturally start to drink more. That’s why it’s important to stop serving alcohol early so that your guests have time to sober up before they leave. You can do this by switching from hard liquor to beer and wine, or by simply shutting off the bar entirely 1-2 hours before the party is over.
7. Plan to Have People Stay The Night If Necessary
The best way to prevent drunk driving is to have people stay the night if necessary. This way, they can sleep it off and won’t be tempted to drive home after drinking. If you have the space, set up a few air mattresses or couches in your guest room or living room so that people have a place to crash. A night spent on the couch is better than one spent in lockup, or worse.
Conclusion
Hosting a party can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent drunk driving. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your guests safe and ensure that everyone has a good time.
