If you choose to head out for a night, plan how to get there and home in a safe way. There are many options that can help with this, including having a designated driver or using a rideshare app.

Designated Driver

Students should be responsible and watch out for their friends. Sometimes being a good friend means taking on the responsibility to make sure your friends get home safely. This can prevent the loss of a friend's license, fines, jail time and preventable injury and death.

Designated drivers agree to remain sober in order to drive others home safely. They do not have any alcohol the entire night and are able to help friends avoid making decisions that could result in negative consequences.

Top 10 Tips for Designated Drivers

1. Before going out, let people know you're not going to be drinking and that you're willing to drive everyone home safely.

2. Establish rules before leaving. See if drinkers will chip in on gas, buy you non-alcoholic drinks, and even buy you dinner!

3. Don't drink! Not even one single drink.

4. Carry a few plastic bags in your car in case people get sick in your ride.

5. Be wary of others on the road, especially late at night.

6. Be prepared to handle a friend that insists they are okay to drive themselves home.

7. Consider taking turns being the DD.

8. Have more than one DD if you have a larger group.

9. Make sure to ask your friends to go to a place you enjoy!

10. Talk to your friends the next day if it was hard for you to handle a situation.

Ridesharing

Rideshare apps, such as Uber and Lyft, provide convenient and safe transportation. Be prepared by having a rideshare app downloaded on your phone and ensuring your phone is fully charged when you leave for the night. On most rideshare apps, you can schedule a ride ahead of time to be sure you have a safe way to get home.

Courtesy of University Health Services, The University of Texas at Austin.
Published by the University of Texas at Austin University Health Services.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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