There is a perception that being the designated driver is no fun. The view is that drinking non-alcoholic drinks while your friends are having cool cocktails, drinking up and throwing down makes you an anti-social nerd, an outsider. Changing this perception can help save thousands of lives each year.
In ancient times it was thought that drinking the blood of a virgin would prolong life. Today, being the designated driver and sticking to ‘virgin cocktails’ or ‘mocktails’ may ultimately save your life, and/or the lives of your friends and loved ones.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 28 people are killed each day in the United States as a result of traffic collisions involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Public interest groups across the country, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), maintain the stance that there is nothing “accidental” about drunk driving accidents, and that these collisions are 100 percent preventable. I agree whole-heartedly.
Despite the obvious drawbacks of driving under the influence, countless people throughout the country make the conscious decision to drink and get behind the wheel on a daily basis. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that this happens approximately 300,000 times every day in the United States. This statistic alone shows that being in a motor vehicle on our nation’s roadways is a random lottery that often results in meaningless tragedy and a series of narrow escapes.
Making the “social sacrifice” by not drinking alcohol for one night won’t kill you, I promise. But the statistics show us that driving under the influence might. In order to prevent unnecessary injuries and fatalities on America’s roadways, it is up to you to make responsible decisions when planning a night out. It’s up to you to help make being the designated driver (Double D) cool. Make the Double D a real VIP. Maybe even create a cool VIP pass for the DD so everyone knows the just how important the Double D is having a great time and staying safe.
Changing general perceptions about being the designated driver and making it actually fun to be the ‘Double D VIP’ is one of the most important cultural shifts that must happen in order to ultimately eliminate drunk driving. Following the simple steps outlined in this guide will ensure that you have a fun and safe evening as the designated driver. The DD is the real life of the party.
