Every New Year’s Eve, thousands of Kansas residents drive drunk back from parties, bars, and restaurants. It shouldn’t happen, but thanks to the spirit of the night and the pressure to drink, it does.
Unfortunately, DUIs are no laughing matter. Even if it’s your first offense, the state still mandates jail time, so it’s best avoided at all costs.
In Kansas, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08. If you’re above this, law enforcement officials will arrest you.
But how, exactly, can you avoid drunk driving on the way home this New Year’s? Here’s what to do.
Think Before U Drink
Around the holidays throughout the year, DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers offers FREE Uber rides to Kansas residents that sign up for the Think Before U Drink campaign.
Our firm is committed to the safety of our community and dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for injuring innocent victims.
By registering in Think Before U Drink, you are helping ensure the safety of you and everyone else on Kansas roads!
Click here for more information.
Get A Ride Home from Lyft
Rideshare companies in Kansas have always been a great way for those who indulge a bit too much to get home. However, one company is now taking things a step further, upping its game for the festive season.
SafeRide (operated by Lyft) is offering discounted rides to all K-State students at the Manhattan campus enrolled in at least three credit hours. Rides are available anywhere within the Manhattan city limits from Thursday until Saturday from 10 PM until 3 AM, easily late enough for even the heaviest of drinkers. (This year 2022, New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday).
Students will receive an email from Lyft at the start of each semester with instructions on how to opt into the program. To get started, they need to download the Lyft app and sign up with their university email address. Once they are in the app, their discount will appear in the top right, showing them how much they could save on rides instead of driving themselves.
Stay In
Of course, you don’t have to go out to celebrate New Year’s Eve. You can always stay at home. It’s cheaper, you can decide exactly what you eat and drink, and you can invite friends over to get the party started.
Stop Drinking Early
You can also set a time limit on when to stop drinking. This way, when you do drive home, you’ll be well under the legal limit.
Most people can reduce their blood alcohol concentration by around one unit per hour. A glass of wine is two units, so you’ll need to wait two hours after drinking one to safely drive home.
Remember, if you drink more, you’ll need to wait longer. After an entire bottle of wine, you may need to wait until the following morning to drive safely. If you’re in doubt, err on the side of caution and make arrangements other than driving yourself.
Stay Somewhere Overnight
Lastly, if you really want to go out and have a great time, choose somewhere you can stay overnight. Perhaps book a night in a hotel or crash on a friend’s couch. Whatever it is, give your body time to get rid of the alcohol. A good night’s sleep should bring you down below the legal limit, even if you had a lot to drink the night before.
Kansas residents can do a lot to avoid drunk driving this festive season. Use these tips wisely and you should avoid getting arrested, sent to jail, or even worse, dead, or injured.