Drinking and driving is a serious problem that has been around for many years. Many people believe that it is okay to have one or two drinks and then drive, but this is extremely dangerous.
Drinking even one drink can impair your motor skills and cognitive function required to drive safely. While you may feel like you are able to drive after one or two drinks, you are putting yourself and others at risk by getting into the car.
Even if you do not feel intoxicated, your blood alcohol content (BAC) is still high enough to impair your ability to drive. There is no way to tell if you are drunk based on how many drinks you had, so the only solution is to not get in the car!
Surveys show that most young people do not think that one drink makes a difference when driving, which is part of the problem. This article will talk about ways to convince your friend not to drive after drinking one drink.
Be direct and explicit
While it can be difficult to tell someone else how to behave, it can be important to do so when their behavior could put them or others in danger.
Drinking can lead to bad decisions about driving, especially if someone is drinking heavily. Convincing a friend not to drive after drinking can be hard because of this fact.
Bluntness can be disconcerting, but it is one of the most effective ways to get your point across. When you are direct and explicit, you are not leaving any room for misinterpretation.
For example, you could say something like “I think you have had enough to drink, why don’t you call an Uber?” This statement is clear and direct, there is no room for misinterpretation.
Provide alternatives
If you see your friend reaching for their keys, you should not panic. Try to stay calm and think of ways to convince them not to drive.
One way is to offer other forms of transportation. If they have another car or if you do, offer to take them. If there is a bus or train they can take, point them in the direction and help them get there.
If none of these work, then try keeping them busy for a while. Offer to buy them something to eat or drink or do some activity with them until they are sober enough to realize that fact.
Another way is to remind them of the consequences they have faced before due to driving drunk and how this time will be no different. Try to make them understand that there are better ways to get around after drinking (factual proof works best).
Use persuasive language
Convincing a friend not to drive after drinking can be a tough task, but it’s a task that needs to be done.
Many people feel very uncomfortable telling someone else how to behave, what to do, or who to spend time with.
However, your friend is not making the decision to drive after drinking alcohol alone, you are. You are deciding whether or not they get in the car and drive home.
You have their best interests in mind and want them to feel safe and comfortable, which is why you are asking them to leave the car. Why not try convincing them instead?
The first thing you should do is use persuasive language. Tell them that they look nice and drunk, that they had a good time but it’s time to go home now.
Show them how they can avoid driving while drunk
If you’re worried about your friend driving under the influence, try to connect with them in a friendly way. Tell them that you care about them and don’t want to see them hurt themselves or others.
Drinking can make people feel more confident than usual, so they may not feel the need to worry about leaving the bar. Tell them that they look great and have fun, but could you please take an Uber or Lyft?
If they still seem set on driving, offer to drive yourself instead so that you can ensure that you both get home safely. You could even call an Uber or Lyft for yourself if you know that your friend is too drunk to do so.
Whether they take your help or not, just keep checking on them throughout the night to make sure that they are okay.
Ask them to make a promise to you
Convincing a friend not to drive after drinking can be a tough thing to do, especially if they are very stubborn and have a large sense of independence.
Try asking them to make a promise to you that they will not drive home after drinking. Make the promise something that would really affect them, like promising to buy them dinner next week if they do not drive after drinking.
This way, they have already invested something in this promise and are more likely to keep it. Then, next week when they are sober, take them out to dinner!
If you know your friend is not very creative, then try asking them to reaffirm some truth about something. Then, when you get home from the party, ask if what you said was true or not. Then tell them that if they walk and take an Uber or Lyft home then they will prove that they are sober.
Tell them about their past behavior regarding drinking and driving
If you have witnessed your friend driving after drinking before, then you have evidence to use when trying to convince them not to do so again.
If they have admitted to drinking and driving in the past, then you have a strong point to make. They already perceive that it is not a good idea, so now you just need to convince them that they should not do it again.
If they have never driven after drinking, then try to imagine how bad it would feel if they got into an accident due to alcohol. Tell them about the trauma that could be caused and how hard it is to forgive yourself for it.
Regardless of whether or they have had this experience before, you should still remind them of the potential consequences of drinking and driving.
Offer support for a different way home
If you know your friend is drinking, try to have a backup plan for them in case something happens.
For example, offer to pay for an Uber or Lyft ride instead of having them drive. If they are too drunk to use these services, call them up and offer to help them order and pay for it.
This may seem rude, but it is better than them getting into a car drunk and possibly hurting themselves or someone else. You are also helping prevent a possible DUI charge or death!
If they insist on driving, continue to encourage them to call an Uber or Lyft. Tell them that you will help them get set up on the app and/or pick them up if they are too drunk to drive themselves.
Keep them company until they sober up
If your friend is already drunk, there is no way to convince them that they should stop drinking and sober up. The best thing to do is to keep them company until they sober up.
If they are still drinking, make sure to stay with them until they stop, making sure that they do not drink anymore. Make sure that they stay awake so that their body can process the alcohol quicker.
Make sure that they stay awake by talking to them and keeping them engaged in what else but talking!
If they fall asleep, try putting them in a sleeping environment where they will remain awake. If this is not possible, then keep checking on them every few minutes to make sure they are still awake.
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