When someone is talking about drinking and driving, they mean that you should not drive any type of vehicle while you are drunk. This means that if your blood alcohol level is above the legal limit, you are drunk and should not drive.

Drunk drivers cause hundreds of accidents a year and there is only one reason that this problem occurs, the drunk driver is being completely irresponsible. There are age limits to drink alcohol and it is assumed that because that person has reached the legal age limit to do so, that they are adults.

As an adult you have a certain responsibility to know what your limits, especially when you are dealing with drinking alcohol. You also have a responsibility to know that if you are drunk, you are not permitted to dive a vehicle and if you do you are breaking the law.

Many bars have implemented certain policies in order to ensure that their patrons drink responsibly. An example of this is when the establishment refuses to sell alcohol to someone whom they feel has already had enough to drink.

Most bars have advertisements for different cab companies that a person can call if they feel that they are not able to drive themselves home. There are even programs such as MADD (Mothers against drunk driving) designated drivers.

This program offers affordable transportation to patrons who know that they have surpassed their legal limit and are no longer able, or willing to drive themselves home. These programs are all advertised by the bar in order to discourage drunk driving.

Having said that, the bar and its employees can not be expected to babysit every single person that enters their establishment. The reason that they have parking lots at the bar, is because they believe it is the responsibility of the person driving to stop drinking when they have reached their limit.

All in all, it comes down to the fact that bars can not control all their patrons, it is the responsibility of the person drinking to monitor how much they drink before they decide to get behind the wheel of a car.

If you believe that you are going to be drinking to the point that you will not be able to drive yourself home, it is your responsibility to plan ahead. Bring enough money for cab fare or ensure that you have a designated driver who is willing to take you home should the need arise.

Learn more about this author, Christina Rivas.
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