Drunk? High? Drowsy? Here’s How to Prevent and Avoid Impaired Driving

What’s the key to friendship? Having each other’s backs, no matter what. That includes doing everything we can to keep our friends safe on the road. By avoiding and preventing impaired driving (drunk, high, or drowsy), we could help save 15,000 lives per year. Use this guide to spot the signs of impaired driving, and scroll down for five ways to take action and keep your friends safe. Let’s Do This!

Drowsy Driving

Let’s be honest, we’re annoying when we’re tired: unfocused, sluggish, moody. Turns out, we’re also terrible drivers when we’re sleep-deprived too. As The Washington Post reports, “drivers who have had too little sleep are no different than those who have had three or four drinks and are too drunk to drive.” Signs of drowsiness include constant yawning, being cranky, memory lapses and, the most obvious one, uncontrollably dozing off.

Driving While High

Ever heard someone say that driving while high actually makes them safer on the road? The truth is, weed and other drugs can slow your reaction time, mess with your focus, and compromise other skills you need for good driving. (Also, most drugs are illegal in most states, and driving while high is definitely illegal.)

Some signs to look for include red or bloodshot eyes, delayed reaction time, distorted sense of surroundings, poor coordination, slurred speech, dilated pupils, or confusion, delusions, or hallucinations.

Drunk Driving

Everyone knows drunk driving is super dangerous, but it’s still one of the leading causes of death for teenagers. About a quarter of crashes involving teens involve a driver who’d been drinking underage.

It’s illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol. And it’s illegal for people over 21 to drive if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or more. A driver is probably drunk if, you know, you see them drinking. Other signs of intoxication include poor muscle coordination, impaired perception, and loss of self-control, reasoning, concentration, judgement, and memory. A drunk driver will drive, well, badly. That includes swerving, straddling the center of a lane marker, or driving recklessly.

5 Things You Can Do

1) Use a designated driver (DD). You can avoid all the mess of impaired driving by choosing someone who commits to not drinking, using drugs, or driving when they are too tired to safely operate a vehicle. Make sure you choose a DD before you go out on the town or set off on a long road trip.

2) Use a rideshare service. Download an app like Lyft or Uber. Or you can save a cab company’s number into your phone. That way if you or the driver are impaired, you can have a service pick you up. Easy.

3) Call a friend or family member for a ride. Feeling unsafe about getting in the vehicle as a driver or passenger? Who you gonna call?! Maybe not Ghostbusters, but there’s a strong chance a friend or family member would show up to get you out of a potentially dangerous situation. Want to sweeten the deal? Offer to pay them back in doughnuts...or a ride when they need it.

4) Find a place to pull over. Feeling uneasy on the road? Don’t chance it. Use this locator or this app to find a nearby rest stop where you can safely recoup. (And of course, don’t use these resources while driving. Pull over first or have a passenger use their phone.)

5) Squeeze in a nap. If you or the driver is too drowsy to safely be on the road, even a quick nap can be really effective at boosting your energy enough to make driving safe. If you’re by yourself, find a safe location to pull over for a snooze. If you’re riding with someone, have them take the wheel while you get a little shut-eye.

Resources For People With Substance Abuse Issues

• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD): 1 (800) NCA-CALL (622-2255). NCADD's HOPE LINE places those struggling with alcohol and other substance abuse issues in touch with helpful local resources.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889. Free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): 1 (800) 662-HELP (4357) National agency dedicated to prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. Their helpline provides 24 hour assistance.
• Boys Town National Hotline: 1 (800) 448-3000 Crisis and resource line staffed by counselors to provide information about a variety of issue s, including chemical dependency.