Tips from MADD: How to Prevent Someone from Driving Drunk

The best way to prevent someone from driving drunk is to make a plan for a sober designated driver, and make sure everyone agrees to it ahead of time. If you are faced with a situation where someone who’s impaired is trying to drive, here are some tips on how to stop them.  Also view the National Directory of Designated Driver Services.

Report by Paula Antolini
December 31, 2015 5:44PM EDT

Tips from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): How to Prevent Someone from Driving Drunk

The best way to prevent someone from driving drunk is to make a plan for a sober designated driver, and make sure everyone agrees to it ahead of time. If you are faced with a situation where someone who’s impaired is trying to drive, here are some tips on how to stop them:

•  Be as non-confrontational as possible.

•  Suggest alternate ways of getting to their destination — a cab, a sober driver, public transportation.

•  Remember that the person you are talking to is impaired — talk a bit more slowly and explain things more fully than if you were speaking to a sober person.

•  Explain that you don’t want them to drive because you care and you don’t want them to hurt themselves or others.

•  Suggest that they sleep over.

•  Enlist a friend to help you or to act as moral support — it’s more difficult to say “no” to two (or three or four) people than one.

•  If possible, get the person’s keys. It is far easier to persuade the potential driver when you hold this leverage.

•  If all else fails, call law enforcement. It’s better to have a friend arrested than injured or killed.

*****

MORE LOCAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION:

In Fairfield County, Connecticut, contact these companies from the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS)  if you are too impaired to drive and need a designated driver.
(Always contact these companies BEFORE you need them to make sure you understand how your local service works!)

AmRide ….. 1 (855) 426-7433
Finest Chauffeurs ….. 1 (646) 387-2728
iDriveYourCar … 1 (888) 888-7897
WeDriveYouNY.com … 1 (888) 320-5003
You-Ride-I-Drive  … 1 (203) 531-0838

*****

Emergency Info. in Bethel, CT:

Bethel Police Department

49 Plumtrees Rd

(203) 743-5500

click here for website

*****

Bethel Emergency Management

*****

*****

Bethel Volunteer Fire Department

38 South Street, Bethel, CT 06801

Routine Phone: (203) 778-7414

Call 911 for all emergencies.

click her for website

*****

Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department

59 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801

General: 203-778-7417

Chief’s Office: 203-778-7416

Fire Dispatch Routine Calls: 203-778-7415

click here for website

*****

Danbury Hospital

*****

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD)

Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving, drugged driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local MADD victim advocates and our 24-Hour Victim Helpline 1-877-MADD-HELP.