Everyone’s had one of those nights. You went out with friends, hit up a few local bars, and had one shot too many. Now it’s time for you to find a way home and unfortunately, you drove. You tell yourself that you didn’t really have that much to drink and begin fishing around in your pockets for your keys.

There’s never an excuse for drinking and driving in South Carolina — or in any state particularly. When you’re intoxicated, your motor skills are greatly impaired, even if you “feel fine.” If you get behind the wheel of a car while you’re under the influence, you’re not only risking your life but you’re risking the lives of everyone sharing the road with you. Before you make the mistake of driving drunk, consider some of these much safer alternatives to drinking and driving in South Carolina.

Rideshares

Rideshare services have become so popular for a reason. You’re being transported to and from your destination for rates that are often far cheaper than local taxicab services. Services such as Uber and Lyft have made it so easy to get home safely on those nights when you’ve had a bit too much to drink.

A word to the wise: When the bars are closing, rideshare drivers are in high demand, so you’re likely to face surge pricing in the period around then. It’s often better to leave a bit early to avoid paying higher fees because you’re leaving during peak times. Make sure that you’re always respectful to your driver. The world doesn’t need more viral videos of rideshare passengers acting foolish while they’re drunk.

A Designated Driver

If rideshares aren’t your style, you’re probably going to want to bring a designated driver on nights when you go out. This means no drinking for them and if you’ve ever been the sober one in a group of drunk people, you’ll know just how big a favor a designated driver is doing. Offer to pay for their meals or non-alcoholic beverages while you’re out and about. Also, you should always offer to reimburse them for gas.

You can even find a service where a chauffeur will be your designated driver for the evening. This is a great option if your group of friends is interested in barhopping or checking out multiple spots in one night. It’s usually more affordable than a rideshare service if you’re only using it for a few hours, but costs can easily add up so be wary of your spending.

If you don’t have anyone who is willing to be the designated driver, ask family members or friends to pick you up at the end of the evening. While it may seem like an imposition, most people will be understanding if you say that you’re not comfortable driving under the influence.

Public Transportation

While this may seem like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised how many people seem to forget that public transportation exists in South Carolina after a beer or two. If you have the option, take advantage of it. Whether you’re using a trolley, bus, and your standard taxi, they’re all better alternatives to drinking and driving.

If you know that you’re the kind of person to go out more often than not, consider a monthly transit pass if your city offers it. While these are sometimes restricted by region, they’re still a great way to get out and about for a flat fee every month. If you don’t go out all that frequently, passes are still a good value.

Walk

If you don’t have a long commute and your car is in a safe spot, you should consider walking home. While it’s the most time-consuming way to get back home, it’s also free, so it won’t add any extra costs to a night out. Always walk in a group or with another person if possible. Walking alone at night is a recipe for trouble.

Know the tips for staying safe if you’re walking home at night. You should always keep your keys ready to get into your home as quickly as possible. Walk with confidence, avoid particularly dark walkways, alleys, and lots, and make sure that you trust your gut. If you’re walking at night, your instincts are your best friends so follow them.

Always an Alternative

There’s never any reason that you’ll have to drive drunk. You always have a choice to make at the end of any night out and that choice could mean the difference between life and death. Avoiding drinking and driving in the first place is the best defense when it comes to avoiding a DUI.

If you have recently committed a DUI offense in the North Charleston area, the state of South Carolina, or are looking to learn more about your options in a DUI situation, contact our legal professional DUI lawyer at Deaton Law Firm, LLC for counsel and expert advice.