Drinking and driving is a world-wide problem. Although we are all aware of the dangers in drinking and driving, society at large regard it as socially acceptable. It is important to note that with the diminished skill of the driver under the influence of alcohol the reactions of the drunk driver is noticably slower. This means that in a very high percentage of accidents, the accident is directly caused by the intoxicated driver, but it also means that in cases where the accident is initially caused by the other party, the intoxicated driver will have a smaller chance of succesfully avoiding an accident. Added to this the drunk driver must be aware that blood samples will be taken and a high blood/alcohol concentration will probably lead to his/her conviction, because it is easier to prove that a driver was driving under the influence of liquour, than it is to prove some other forms of negligence.

It is therefore important to note that even if you regard yourself as a safe driver when under the influence of an intoxicating substance, the chances of being involved in an accident increases. It also means that the chances of being convicted after an accident increases. To protect yourself and others, don’t drink and drive.

 

We would like to thank “Race Against Impaired Driving” for the following tips. You can visit their web-site at www.drivesober.com

Responsible Hosting Tips

As the host of a party, you may be held legally responsible for the result of injuries or damages that occur as a result of the alcohol you serve.

Reduce the risks, increase the good times, and help ensure your guests arrive home safely by following these tips for socially responsible hosting:

• Do not drink too much yourself. As the host, you can stay on top of and avoid potential problems when you can think clearly and act quickly.
  
• Find out how guests will be going home from your party. Be prepared to take away car keys. Promote the use of designated drivers and encourage guests to leave their cars at home and take public transportation, cabs, or walk. Have cash and phone numbers ready for taxi companies.
  
• When your guests arrive by car, collect their car keys. That way, when they are ready to leave, they must get a second opinion on whether they are sober enough to drive home.
  
• Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is over. Bring out coffee and alcohol-free drinks and food. But remember that coffee and cold showers do not make a person sober. Only time allows the body to consume and rid itself of alcohol.
  
• Plan to deal with any guest who drinks too much. Before the party gets going, ask someone reliable to help you keep things under control.
  
• Mix and serve drinks yourself or designate a bartender instead of having an open bar. Avoid serving doubles and keep shot glasses, jiggers or self-measuring one-ounce bottle spouts handy to measure drinks. Guests are less likely to drink excessively when standard measures are used.
  
• If you serve an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base such as fruit juice. The body absorbs alcohol faster when mixed with carbonation.
  
• Be prepared for overnight guests. Have blankets and sleeping bags ready.
  
• Always serve food with alcohol. It is always better to eat while drinking than to drink on an empty stomach. High protein and carbohydrate foods like cheese, meats, veggies, breads and light dips are especially good. They taste great and do not make guests thirsty, as salty, sweet or greasy foods do.
  
• Do not force drinks on your guests or rush to refill their glasses when empty. Some guests may not wish to appear rude and will accept drinks they do not want.
  
• If you observe a guest drinking too much:
  – engage him/her in conversation to slow down the drinking.
  – offer high protein food like pizza, shrimp or spareribs.
  – offer to make the next drink, using less alcohol and mixing it with a non-carbonated base.
  
• Always have low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks, such as coffee, pop, fruit punch, juice and water available.
  
• Do not plan physical activities when you serve alcohol. People are more prone to injury or mishap after drinking. 

When the Party’s Over

If one of your guests has been drinking and should not drive, please do not give them back their car keys and let them drive. They could hurt themselves or others and maybe just a little persuasion from you could mean the difference between life and death.

 

• Suggest that you or a sober friend drive your alcohol impaired friend home. Their car can always be picked up at another time.
  
• Suggest that your impaired friend stay overnight in your home. This may sound inconvenient, but you could be saving your friend’s, or someone else’s life.
  
• Have your friend taken home in a taxi. Pay for the ride yourself. It’s hard to object to a free ride.
  
• Whatever you do, do not give in. Friends do not let friends drink and then drive. In the morning, you will have a safer and maybe an even closer friend. 

Tips to Combat Impaired Driving

• Your best defense against a drunk driver is to wear your safety belt and be sure children are properly secured in child safety seats.
  
• Never ride in a car with someone who has been drinking – call a cab or ask a friend to drive you home.
  
• Report drunk drivers immediately to area law enforcement from a car phone or pay phone with the license plate number, description of the vehicle, and the direction in which it was traveling. Keep a safe distance from anyone driving erratically and do not try to intervene yourself.

Remember:

One drink = 5 oz. of 12 percent wine OR 12 oz. of 5 percent beer OR 1 1/2 oz. of liquor

Neither coffee nor a cold shower will help sober someone up. Only time can do that.

Non-Alcoholic “Mocktails”

Designated Driver’s Delight
2 1/2 oz. orange juice
1 1/4 oz. pineapple juice
1 1/4 oz. cranberry juice
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
3-4 frozen strawberries
Mix in a blender until smooth. Serve in a hurricane glass with an orange slice and a strawberry.

The Enforcer
Fresh brewed coffee
Whipped cream
Chocolate sprinkles
Sugar cubes
Cinnamon
Pour coffee into a mug and stir in 2 sugar cubes and a dash of cinnamon. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

Citrus Collins
2 oz. orange or grapefruit juice
1 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. simple syrup*
Fill a 10-12 oz. glass with ice. Add ingredients above and then fill with club soda. Garnish with 1/2 orange slice and a cherry.
* HINT: Simple Syrup…In a saucepan, combine 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil gently for 5 minutes. Makes about 2 cups. Will keep 6 months in the refrigerator.

Coffee Eggnog
2 eggs, separated
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup instant coffee
dash salt
2 cups milk, chilled
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
shaved, unsweetened chocolate
In a small bowl with electric mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar until stiff peaks form. In large bowl, beat egg yolks until lemon colored. Gradually beat in coffee, salt, vanilla, milk and 3/4 cup water. Stir in egg-white mixture and whipped cream. Mix well. Serve well chilled, with chocolate sprinkled over each serving. Makes 12 servings.

Red Delicious Punch
Pour 2 bottles of nonalcoholic sparkling cider into a punch bowl. Mix in 1 quart of cranberry juice. Float a frozen ice ring and garnish with sprigs of mint.

Faux Kir
For each serving, half fill a large wine glass with chilled white grape juice. Stir in 1 tbsp. nonalcoholic grenadine syrup. Fill with cold raspberry ginger ale.

New Year’s Eve Kiss
Pour 2 oz. passion fruit juice in a champagne flute. Fill with club soda.