How Can Louisiana Drivers Protect Themselves From DUI?

Driving under the influence of alcohol is more frequent than most people care to admit. Some of the most devastating car accidents in Louisiana are caused by drunken drivers. Even though they have been warned time and again, and know of the severe penal consequences, many people continue to believe that they are capable of driving after having spent hours drinking beer, wine and strong liquor.

It is time for responsible drivers to shed the habit, and understand what drinking alcohol does to their driving abilities. The first line of action is to:

Protect yourself from drinking

• Know the facts: Whether you drink a can of beer, a glass of wine or a shot of strong liquor, the alcohol content is about the same. Alcohol impairs your driving even at low levels; a blood-alcohol content of .06 increases the risk of a fatal crash 8 times. The effect of alcohol is compounded when taken with drugs or when tired;
• Sip your drink: Avoid cheap alcohol and go for quality rather than quantity. Sipping the flavor and aromas of a good wine is preferable to drinking large quantities of whatever is available. Don't mix drinks that will make your head spin and give you a major morning-after headache;
• Eat while you drink: Food, and especially high protein food like meat, cheese or peanuts, helps slow the absorption of alcohol in your body;
• Stay active: Try not to just sit and drink. Engage in conversation and activities with others, go for food rather than alcohol, go outside, go for a short walk, etc. Moving around not only helps absorbing alcohol, it reduces the craving for drinking more.
• Accept a drink only if you really want one: Ask for water and non-alcohol drinks to alternate with wine or beer. Try to stick to no more than one alcohol drink per hour, and keep your glass full to prevent it from being constantly refilled.
• Be aware of what alcohol does: If you drink less than the others you are with, you will soon notice what heavy drinking does to them. Their behavior changes, some become sleepy, others more excited, and their speech becomes slurred. Think of what it must do to their driving.

If you have been hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, contact the New Orleans accident attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE discussion of your case.