The holiday season brings with it a celebration-filled atmosphere, often accompanied by lively gatherings, festive drinks, and cheerful merriment. However, as you toast with friends and family, it’s crucial to navigate these festivities responsibly. In this article, we will explore various ways to plan ahead with alternatives to drinking and driving for a safe and enjoyable experience during holiday parties this season.

Understanding the Importance of Responsible Drinking

Responsible drinking is essential not only for your well-being but also for those around you. Drinking and driving can lead to devastating consequences that can have a lifelong impact on not only the driver but also passengers, other road users, and their loved ones.

Impaired judgment and delayed reaction times caused by alcohol significantly increase the likelihood of accidents, resulting in an increased number of injuries and fatalities during the holiday season. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 40% of all traffic-related deaths during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays involve drunk drivers, causing national DUI rates to spike during this time of year.

Knowing the Legal Repercussions of a DUI

Legal repercussions, including hefty fines, license suspension, and potential imprisonment, can severely disrupt a person’s life. Additionally, the financial burden of court fees, increased insurance premiums, and possible job loss due to a criminal record can have long-lasting effects. A first time offender is charged with a misdemeanor while incurring fines up to $1,000, up to 6 months in jail time, and at least 6 months of license suspension. The consequences go up from there for higher BAC DUIs and repeat offenders.

Pre-Party Planning is the Key to Responsible Drinking

As the saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail.” The holidays can be hectic, but taking a moment to develop a strategy for drinking responsibly as well as, getting home responsibly will pay off.

The holiday season is a time for celebration, gathering with loved ones, and creating cherished memories. However, it’s also a season when responsible decision-making is crucial, especially when it comes to getting home safely after a night of festivities. In today’s world of technology, there are more increased transport alternatives than ever before.

Alternative Transportation Options to Drinking and Driving to Ensure a Safe Return Home this Holiday Season

Ticket Crushers Law has put together the below comprehensive guide of transportation alternatives to help keep our customers safe and not sorry this holiday season! We encourage everyone to take advantage of these alternatives to drinking and driving.

Designate A Sober Driver

One of the safest options for returning home is to designate a sober driver before attending the party. Coordinate with a friend or family member who is willing to stay sober and take charge of the driving duties. Having someone who can ensure everyone’s safety alleviates the worries of navigating the roads after drinking.

Communicating this plan in advance may also help in reinforcing everyone’s commitment to responsible drinking throughout the night, making it easier for all to adhere to the agreed-upon guidelines.

Utilize Ride Share Apps and Services

In scenarios where a designated driver isn’t feasible, ride share services like Uber or Lyft offer a convenient and reliable alternative. With a few taps on your smartphone, you can request a ride and ensure your safe return home.

Many of these services are available around the clock, providing an easy and comfortable way to avoid driving under the influence. Checking surge pricing on some ride share apps ahead of time during peak busy periods can help ensure your ride is more cost effective. It may also be helpful to have more than one ride share app downloaded  onto your device to be able to do easier price comparisons.

California currently has several ride share tools available for use:

• Uber – A globally recognized platform offering various ride options, including UberX, UberXL, and luxury services.
• Lyft – Provides ride options similar to Uber, with features like real-time tracking and ride scheduling.
• Wingz – Specializes in pre-scheduled, flat-rate rides, focusing on airport transportation and allowing users to request favorite drivers. Operates in major Californian cities.
• Curb – Connects users with professional taxi drivers through an app, offering immediate or scheduled rides. Services are available in select Californian cities.
• Via – Partners with public transit agencies to provide on-demand shared rides, enhancing public transportation options.
• Hitch – Offers long-distance ridesharing between cities, providing both private and shared ride options.
• Waymo – Provides autonomous ride-hailing services with use of self driving cars.  Availability may be limited, but ride fairs tend to be cheaper due to not needing to tip a driver.

Take Public Transportation

Take advantage of buses, subways, or trains if they are available and operating in your area. Taking public transportation is a reliable and eco-friendly way to get around, especially during the busy holiday season. Buses, trains, and subways offer affordable options to travel safely without the stress of driving or parking. Many cities even extend their schedules during holidays to accommodate late-night travelers, making it easier to plan a safe journey home. By choosing public transit, you can enjoy your celebrations worry-free while contributing to a greener environment.

Carpool with a Sober Friend

Carpooling is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to share rides with friends or family, ensuring everyone gets home safely while reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Coordination ahead of time is usually the best course of action.

Call a Taxi or Cab

A little more traditional, but still gets the job done! Book with a traditional taxi service as an alternative to app-based rideshare.

Prearrange or Book Private Car

Booking a car service provides a convenient and reliable way to ensure a stress-free and reliable ride home, but usually requires some booking ahead of time.

Rent a Party Bus or Shuttle Bus with a Group

Renting a shuttle bus or party bus is a fun and practical way to keep your group together while ensuring everyone travels safely during holiday celebrations. Despite some of the pre-planning that goes into it beforehand, this ends up being a festive, fun, and cost effective way to get around with a larger group of people.

Stick to Your Plan

Staying true to your plan is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Whether it’s designating a driver, booking a ride share, or other alternatives to drinking and driving, committing to your decision prevents last-minute risks and eliminates the temptation to drive under the influence. Sticking to a solid plan helps provide peace of mind when celebrating during the holiday season. 

Skip the stress and fully enjoy your holiday festivities. By utilizing your resources and sticking to your plan. You not only protect yourself but also demonstrate responsibility and care for others on the road. TIcket Crushers Law wishes everyone a festive, fun, and SAFE holiday season! If the unexpected happens and you are faced with a DUI charge this holiday season. Ticket Crushers is California’s leading DUI and traffic ticket law firm and are here to help. Reach out for expert assistance with any traffic or DUI related charges, because we fight to win!

Ticket Crushers is California’s Top-Rated DUI & Traffic Defense Firm with Thousands of Cases Dismissed – Se Habla Español  – Call us now at 1-866-842-5384 for more information on DUI Tickets.