Simple Ways to Avoid Driving Impaired

BY SOLO INSURANCE®  Dec 2020 Updated Jun 2026

Are there easy ways to avoid drunk driving or impaired driving? Yes. The two easiest being, don’t drink or don’t drink and drive. Make it a line never crossed. You know how dangerous driving drunk is, and how challenging the penalties might be if you commit this offense. That’s why you should never drive drunk. It is against the law and incredibly hazardous. Still, simply saying that you won’t drive drunk isn’t enough. You must commit to it. But there may be times when you do enjoy a cocktail or beer. Then what?

There are other smart transportation choices that you can make if you ever having a drink or plan to drink when away from home. These smart choices reduce your liability as a driver and make the roadways safer for both yourself and for others.

The Effects of Driving Drunk

If you drive while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, then you are a huge safety risk. Likely you know that your eyesight, reflexes, mental faculties and judgement are all diminished. You may even tell yourself, you’re fine. Your chances of causing a wreck, damaging your car and harming others are extremely high.

Most states have outlawed driving drunk. If an alcohol level exceeds 0.08 (in most states) then you’re eligible to be charged with a DUI. A DUI is a costly charge and the authorities take it very seriously, especially if it involves and accident. If you are charged with this offense, then you face multiple challenges. These include any or all of following:

• License and/or registration suspensions
• Points on your driver’s license
• Requirements to attend AA, safe driving courses or other classes
• Tracking and breathalyzer ignition devices installed on your vehicle
• SR-22 requirements and penalties
• Reinstatement fees or other fines

Of course, all of this also leads to higher car insurance rates as your driving record expands. Increased risk means higher rates. It is always better to not get a DUI in any case.

Avoiding DUI/OWI/DWI

It’s easy to tell yourself that you won’t drive drunk. Period. However, once you have a drink, then so-called liquid courage might get the best of you. Best to plan ahead and avoid the risk.

What could you do to avoid driving drunk besides the obvious just don’t do it?

• When drinking at a social event, limit alcohol intake. Everyone has a limit, and it’s up to you to police yourself. Drink one then switch to non-alcoholic drinks. A glass of club soda with a lime, for instance. Don’t forget to eat and drink non-alcoholic beverages so that they can balance your system.
• When you make plans to drink, also arrange transportation. This might be a designated driver, taxi or car service. There many choices available instead of choosing to drive drunk instead.
• In worst-case scenarios, leave your vehicle. Restaurants and bars are usually happy to let you leave your car parked in their lot. This reduces their liability because they were the ones who served you the alcohol.
• You could also get a hotel room or phone a friend.
• If necessary, give your keys to a sober, trusted friend or even to a member of the bar staff. They can keep you from getting behind the wheel. It is always better to not drive drunk. This is a hazard that is easily controllable if you commit to it. In the end, you’ll be glad that you didn’t make the choice to do such an unsafe thing.

The Choice to Drive Drunk

It could happen that you took in a bit more than you were going to. Remember, however, driving impaired or drunk is always a choice. Driving drunk is never a good choice. It can ruin your life with one bad decision, one slow reaction, or one un-noticed stop sign. Not only can it impact your car insurance rates, or whether a company will even insure you, it can seriously impact your life. When in doubt, choose not to drive. Plan ahead. Don’t think you’re “okay,” because you’re not (sometimes even after one drink). If it only impacts your car insurance a while, then you got off lucky. So much more bad can happen.

If you did or do experience a driver’s license suspension and don’t own or ruined your car but need an SR22, Solo helps. For over 30 years we’ve helped great drivers and the drivers who need an assist. Now we do it without fees. Give us a call or click.

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