College life is often synonymous with newfound freedom, social exploration and unforgettable experiences. For many students, nightlife is a significant part of the college experience. Nightlife offers students opportunities to unwind, connect with friends and create lasting memories.
However, with the excitement of nightlife comes the responsibility of making safe and smart choices, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption. College students should explore the following best practices to help them navigate nightlife responsibly and avoid DUI trouble accordingly.
Plan ahead and designate a sober driver
Due to the excitement of meeting up with friends, college students can easily forget to plan how they want their night to be. Despite the eagerness, students should remember that one of the surefire ways to avoid a DUI is to plan their night out before it begins. If there’s going to be alcohol involved, the friend group should choose a designated sober driver who will remain alcohol-free for the evening.
This person should be responsible for helping to ensure everyone gets home safely. Students can take turns being the designated driver to share the responsibility. Alternatively, students can consider using rideshare services to get home. Planning ahead eliminates the temptation to drive after drinking and helps ensure everyone’s safety.
Know each other’s limits and pace alcohol intake
Understanding each other’s alcohol tolerance within a friend group is crucial to making responsible decisions. Keeping each other in check prevents anyone within the friend group from binge drinking. Consuming alcohol too quickly can impair judgment and increase the likelihood of making risky choices, such as driving under the influence. To avoid this, students can pace alcohol intake by:
- Sipping drinks slowly
- Alternating alcohol intake with water
- Eating a proper meal before or while drinking
This strategy can help students stay in control and reduce the risk of overconsumption. Students should remember it’s okay to say no to another drink if they feel they’ve had enough. Prioritizing safety and well-being is far more important than keeping up with others.
Nightlife can be a fun and memorable part of the college experience, but it can end on a sour note if students get into DUI trouble. In such a predicament, college students should reach out to their parents for support instead of panicking. This can help ensure they get access to hands-on legal support to navigate this situation strategically.
