Teens > StopYourself. Stop a Friend. > Prevent Yourself From Getting a DUI >
It is never easy to turn down something that seems tempting. Here aretips that will make it easier; the more you practice them, the easierthey will get. Here 's how to practice refusal skills:
1. Give a reason for saying “No.”
Be honest. Honest answers are more easily accepted by others. Some reasonsmight be:
“I want to keep a clear head.”
“I could get suspended from the team.”
“I don 't use alcohol or other drugs.”
2. Use the right body language.
Your body language has to match your words. Make sure there are no mixedmessages. Be firm, not wishy-washy. Make eye contact, stand up tall, anduse a firm voice. Don 't look at the ground, glance away, speak softly,or show you are nervous.
3. Show your concern for others.
Express your concern for those trying to persuade you. In the case offriends who have decided to drink, you might say things like:
“I 'd be really sad if anything happened to you.”
“What would your parents do if they found out you were drinking?”
4. Suggest something else.
Try to persuade your friends to do something fun that 's safer ormore healthy. Here are some suggestions:
“Let 's go out in back and play volleyball.”(or some other sport)
“I 'd rather dance and eat something. I 'm starved.”
5. Take action.
If your friends still try to talk you into doing something you don 'twant to, just leave. That way they 'll know you are not going to changeyour mind.
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FAQs
Responses to “Why Aren't You Drinking?”
- “I don't drink alcohol. ...
- “I've actually never been a fan of the taste of alcohol, so I prefer not to drink.”
- “Alcohol doesn't agree with me, so I've decided to abstain.”
- “I'm taking care of my health, and not drinking alcohol is part of my wellness routine.”
Talk with your friends. Make it clear that none of them should drink or use drugs. Someone who is using drugs or alcohol must promise not to drive under the influence. Politely but firmly tell the person you cannot let him or her drive home because you care.
What is the message for not drinking and driving? ›
Never drink and drive. Don't let someone get behind the wheel if that person has been drinking. If you're hosting a gathering, make sure everyone has a sober ride home. Call 911 if you see a drunk driver.
Should you ever admit to drinking and driving? ›
Never admit that you have been drinking or consumed even a couple of drinks of alcohol. Even if the officer asks and they have seen erratic driving, do not provide any information that might incriminate you. Additionally, don't try to explain why your breath reeks of alcohol, as this could be used against you in court.
How do you politely say you don't drink? ›
Try something like:
- “I'm on a prescription that I can't mix alcohol with.”
- “I don't feel very well, so I'm skipping drinking for the night.”
- “I'm allergic.” (This is a good one if you've never met these people before and will never see them again.)
10 Tips to Avoid Driving Drunk
- UBER, Cab or Give someone your keys. ...
- Don't drink on an empty stomach. ...
- Know your body and pace yourself. ...
- Spend the night. ...
- Wait two or three hours. ...
- Stop drinking 90 minutes or more before you plan to leave. ...
- Take the night off from drinking. ...
- Call a cab or a Friend.
Be as non-confrontational as possible. Suggest alternate ways of getting to their destination—a cab, rideshare, a sober driver, or public transportation. Remember that the person you are talking to is impaired—talk a bit more slowly and explain things more fully than if you were speaking to a sober person.
What to do if someone drinks and drives? ›
If you have a passenger in your car, have them dial 9-1-1, and give the dispatcher your location, speed, and details about the dangerous car on the road - but be sure to keep yourself safe. If you're alone in your car, witnessing a dangerous driver, be sure to pull over or use your hands-free device to dial 9-1-1.
What are 3 ways to avoid drinking and driving? ›
Here are a few proactive ways to prevent drunk driving:
- Don't Drink on an Empty Stomach. On an empty stomach, alcohol will hit your bloodstream harder and faster. ...
- Designate a Sober Driver. ...
- Leave the Car at Home. ...
- Spend the Night. ...
- Choose Low Alcohol Content Drinks. ...
- Give It Time. ...
- Don't Trust a Friend to Judge That They're Sober.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN AN APOLOGY LETTER TO THE COURT FOR DRINK DRIVING
- Your name and an introduction about yourself.
- Accept responsibility for the offence.
- Apologise for the offence.
- Show any remorse you have for the offence.
- Give an explanation as to why your committed the offence.
12 Surprising facts about drinking and driving
- In the US alone, someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes.
- Alcohol is responsible for nearly half of auto vehicle crashes where a teen is killed (46%).
- In 40% of traffic deaths in the US at any age, alcohol is involved.
- It doesn't take much.
Even if you've only had one drink, you must not lie. Do not say that you haven't been drinking because lying to the police is a crime. Instead, politely tell the police that “My attorney advised me to remain silent and not answer any questions.” You will avoid incriminating yourself with this answer.
At what point are you too drunk to drive? ›
The crime of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), also known as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), occurs when a driver operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08.
What age is most responsible for drunk driving? ›
The 21- to 24-year-old age group has the most drunk driving accidents in the United States, according to recent research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How do you respond when someone asks you out for a drink? ›
Say yes.
- "Yes, I'd love to."
- "Definitely, that sounds great!"
- "Yes, it's a date!"
- "Of course I would."
- "Sure, what do you want to do?"
- "That sounds fun!"
There are a ton of reasons why someone may not drink & people's relationships with alcohol can be very personal, so it can be out of line to bring it up in the first place. Also, by you asking, it can be super triggering for some people, even if that's not your intention.
What is the importance of not drinking? ›
Benefits of taking a break or cutting down
lower blood pressure. fewer alcohol-related symptoms, like headaches, heartburn, indigestion and stomach upsets. less fatty build-up around the liver. improving existing conditions - depression, high blood pressure or skin conditions such as rosacea.
