PinIt’s easy to assume that everyone is aware of the dangers of drunk driving, and that all drivers understand that drinking and driving is considered a crime with serious penalties. You may know better than to drive home drunk and risk getting a DWI or even getting into a hit and run accident. However, at one point or another, you may be faced with a situation where a friend or family member is impaired and insistent on getting behind the wheel. Here are some tips on how you can stop them:

1. Plan ahead.

Be proactive in your planning. The best way to prevent a loved one from driving home drunk is assigning a sober designated driver from your group ahead of time or arranging for someone to pick you up later on. If you are unable to find a ride for your loved one, put him or her in a cab and pay for the cab fare in advance. Be sure to give the driver clear directions.

2. Explain the situation.

Keep in mind that you are reasoning with someone who is impaired. Speak to your loved one calmly and gently as much as possible. Avoid making a big scene and embarrassing him or her. Try to explain the situation slowly and more thoroughly than you would if you were speaking with someone sober. Clearly explain that you don’t want them to drive drunk because you care, and because you don’t want them to hurt themselves or other people on the road.

3. Keep the keys. 

While taking the car keys away from someone impaired can be a difficult task, there are a number of things you can try. Find your loved one’s keys when he or she is distracted and hide them. Your friend will likely think that he or she misplaced them. You can also pretend to get something you left behind in his or her car, or say you need to borrow the car to get something from the store. 

4. Be patient.

As frustrating as it may be to convince someone drunk from getting behind the wheel, it is important that you don’t give up. Studies show that 80 percent of the respondents tried to stop a friend from driving home drunk, and were successful 75 percent of the time. Keep in mind that you are making a huge difference and possibly saving his or her life.

Source: published at https://www.madd.org/blog/2012/december/tips-how-to-prevent.html.