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DUI 101: Drunk Driving Facts & Information

Driving a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) can lead to negative repercussions – including death or injury – for the driver, the drivers' friends and family, and even innocent strangers. DUI laws, designated driver programs, and designated driver services like Dryver.com are all designed to prevent drunk driving and make it easy to be socially responsible. Having a good time doesn't mean you have to put yourself and others in danger.

Driving under the influence (DUI) laws and driving while intoxicated (DWI) regulations differ by state and jurisdiction, but all carry significant consequences. If you are convicted of a DUI or DWI, there is a good chance you will lose your driver's license and driving privileges, and you may spend time in jail.

Designated Driver Programs,
Organizations, and Businesses

Individuals who offer to be designated drivers for their friends and family provide a valuable service to their communities. Sometimes, however, choosing a friend to be the designated driver means someone has to limit his or her fun. That's where designated driving services can help. Designated driver programs and businesses are important parts of a community-based effort to prevent impaired driving, and they're becoming more and more popular in the United States. Services such as Dryver.com and law enforcement agencies provide people with a variety of reliable options and alternatives to driving and driving, so there's no excuse for putting "yourself and others" at risk. "Safe ride" programs and designated driving companies serve most states in America, helping prevent DUIs, accidents, or worse.

While most designated driver programs advocate designating a sober driver, others suggest alternative methods of transportation, such as taxis, limousines, public transit, or designated driver businesses like Dryver. Some designated driver programs are privately financed, while others are managed by public-private partnerships; likewise, some designated driver services are non-profit and others are for-profit businesses. One non-profit program, called the HERO Campaign, was created in 2000 in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliot, who was killed by a drunk driver. The HERO Campaign advocates using sober designated drivers through local chapters in schools, communities, and colleges across the United States.

The growing trend in America towards using designated drivers to get a safe ride home is one of the main reasons that the Dryver service was founded. By planning ahead and reserving a Dryver personal driver for social events, nights out, sporting events, and other situations where they might want to drink, people can avoid having to worry about how they'll get themselves and their car home. If someone has already driven somewhere and needs a ride home, they can also use Dryver's Pickup Service to request that a driver come get them and drive them home in their car. This means people can not only avoid putting themselves and others at risk, but they can also avoid a situation where they have to leave their car behind and make a separate trip the next day to pick it up.

Designated driver businesses operate in many metropolitan areas and major cities including Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Charlotte, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and Philadelphia. Dryver is the nation's largest designated driver service, serving over 76 cities in 31 states. You can find out if Dryver is in your city here.

Other Resources

The National Directory of Designated Driver Services

Find designated driver service websites across America.

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The Designated Driver Safe Ride Program

Sponsored by the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration, this website helps promote social responsibility and provides impaired driving prevention messages to communities and organizations.

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Creating a Safe Ride Program

Advice and resources for starting a designated driver program in college communities.

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State Transportation Websites

Friendsdrivesober.org's list of traffic safety offices, where you can find data and information on drinking and driving in your specific state.

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The CDC's Impaired Driving Website

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer state fact sheets and data, related articles, and other resources on impaired driving.

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Infographics about Drunk Driving

Download these free infographics from Dryver to learn more about drinking and driving.

No Excuses

There's no excuse for putting yourself and others in danger. Learn more about the excuses people make to justify drinking and driving and the drunk driving facts that prove them wrong.

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Think

With this infographic, learn about the consequences of drinking and driving.

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