When people are going out and they know that they will become under the influence of any intoxicating substance the best idea is to have a plan among their friends to help relieve the pressure of having to drive under the influence. Assigning a trusted designated driver among your friends can keep things not only safe for you, but also for your friends and for those sharing the road with you. I’m sure that we have all dealt with an irrational intoxicated person who has believed that they are perfectly capable of operating a vehicle even though they can’t even walk a straight a line and that is when you as the clear minded and unimpaired person have to remain logical and think ahead when dealing with the intoxicated individual.
If by chance, you are ever in the position where you and a friend are involved in a situation with an intoxicated person who wants to drive, you have to remember that once all those drinks or drugs have been absorbed in their body they are harder to reason with. The intoxicated personal might be confrontational and not fully understand how impaired they are. When reasoning with them, you should remind them that you, yourself can personally get in trouble for not trying to stop them from getting behind the wheel because they are intoxicated. You should also remind them that if they get a DUI then they could lose their drivers license and could be stranded or have to rely on others for transportation. The last thing you might want to remind them is that driving under the influence is illegal and that it could result in prison or jail even for those first time offenders. It’s a great accomplishment if you are able to talk your friend out of driving under the influence. It would mean that they understand what you were explaining and accepted the idea that so many things could go horribly wrong with them behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Unfortunately, if things would go that smoothly then we would not be flooded with horrible reports of so many accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. Many times, when you are appealing to a intoxicated driver they will become hostile and be in denial about how intoxicated they are. Many will come up with self justifications or excuses on why they SHOULD drive intoxicated. “I driver better after a few drinks”, “I downed a starbucks coffee not too long ago, I’m sobering right up”, “ I live only two blocks away”. Comments and reasoning’s like those are a way for the intoxicated person to justify their way of thinking and justifying why they think they can driver when in reality they can’t even stand up straight. Trying to get the keys from people like this to physically stop them from driving can be difficult and sometimes impossible. Although sometimes a simple diversion like “ I left my purse in the car, can I grab the keys real quick,” or “I will warm the car up” will sometimes end up being a life saver for not only the person driving but also for many other people.
The possibility that none of your reasoning being effective, there are two final alternatives. You can always call a cab or call the police. Most friends or family members won’t call the police to stop the intoxicated driver but we have to remember all those lives that your intoxicated friend could be endangering and sometimes that threat alone will make them rethink getting behind the wheel.
Persuasion is a huge factor when it concerns an intoxicated friend or family member from climbing behind the wheel of a vehicle. Some might just need some gentle persuasion, a slight moral nudge to remind them while others might need a little bit more force. Having a plan of action to deal with intoxicated drivers are always the first step of taking preventable measures to help ease the pressure of having to drive intoxicated. When reminding them that there is always another safer and legal option make sure to express your emotions while you’re attempting to persuade the intoxicated driver. It’s very important for them to understand how important saving not only their life is but also that they could be saving the lives of many other people.
References
Federal Bereau of Investigation, “Crime in the United States: 2010
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/10tbl29.xls
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Results from the 2010 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings.” September 2011
Fell, Jim. “Repeat DWI Offenders in the United States.” Washington, DC: National Department of
Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Traffic Tech No. 85, February 1995.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/outreach/traftech/1995/TT085.htm
by
kimzieann (student)
