Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Austin, and being convicted of this crime can lead to jail time, probation, and the loss of your driver’s license. However, these penalties pale in comparison to the pain you would inflict if you were to hurt or kill someone while driving drunk.
If you want to enjoy a night of drinking on the town, driving yourself home is not the way to end your evening.
How to Get Home if You Cannot Drive Safely
Rather than risking a criminal conviction, car accident, or worse, consider how you will get home from a bar or club when you plan your outing. Here are seven ways to get home after you’ve been drinking.
1. Use a Designated Driver
One of the simplest ways to get home without driving drunk is also the cheapest: Ask a friend or family member to be your designated driver. Some establishments will even allow designated drivers to drink nonalcoholic beverages for free.
2. Call a Friend or Family Member
Perhaps you have a family member or friend who does not want to go out for the night but is willing to remain available to drive you home. Call them when you’re ready to come home, or arrange a time and place during the evening for them to pick you up.
3. Use a Rideshare Service
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer a convenient way to request and receive a ride home after a night out on the town. Just be certain you are aware enough to confirm the identity of the rideshare driver and to type the correct address into the app.
4. Phone or Hail a Taxi
With a traditional taxi service, you can let someone else do the driving. Many bars and clubs will be willing to call a cab for you, and some may even pay for your fare home.
5. Rely on Public Transportation
Depending on where you live, CapMetro may be a great option for getting home if you are too drunk to drive. Make sure that you don’t have to walk very far to reach a bus stop, and stay alert enough about your surroundings to get on the right bus and off at the right stop.
6. Go Home the Next Day
Last, if you are near a friend’s or family member’s house, consider spending the night there and then driving home the next day. This option saves you the expense of hiring a cab or rideshare and does not require someone to accompany you throughout the night. Check with your friend or family member before you go out to see if they’d be happy to host you.
7. Book a Nearby Hotel Room
If you’re planning to go out in a busy nightlife area or know you’ll be far from home, consider booking a nearby hotel room in advance. Many hotels offer affordable nightly rates, especially if reserved early. Staying the night lets you avoid driving, eliminates the need to coordinate a ride, and ensures you have a safe, comfortable place to recover before heading home the next day.
Why Walking Home Can Be Dangerous
Unless you live very close to bars or clubs, walking home after a night of drinking can put you in as much danger as drinking and driving would. Inebriated pedestrians can inadvertently stumble out into traffic. In the dark and on dimly lit streets, this can cause a crash that leaves you seriously injured.
You Have Options For Getting Home Without A DUI
When you are impaired, your ability to think and reason is negatively affected. If you anticipate going out to a bar, club, or other get-together and consuming alcohol, make a plan beforehand for how you will get home from the event. Fortunately, Austin offers many ways to have a good time without risking a tragedy.
Contact Our Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Austin, Texas, McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help With Your Case
If you’ve been injured, contact your nearest McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Austin, TX and Salt Lake City, UT.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Austin, TX Office
502 W 14th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222
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650 S 500 W Suite 290, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(385) 462-7630
