It’s interesting that everytime we turn to the news, there is a celebrity or athlete who has been arrested for a DUI (or so it seems).  Isn’t it interesting that with all the money they have, they can’t simply hire someone to drive them home after they’ve had a few drinks?  That’s why taxi cabs and limos exist!

I’m not really one to judge, but how hard is it to pick up the phone and have someone pick you up…or designate a sober driver if you’re going out drinking with a group?   That’s ok if you have to wake someone up in the middle of the night.  I’m sure they’ll forgive you. 

You don’t have to be a rich celebrity to call a cab.  Here are a couple taxi cab companies in San Diego who will gladly pick you up:

Yellow Cab of San Diego: 619-234-6161
Orange Cab of San Diego:  619-223-5555

And if, by chance, you are arrested for a DUI in San Diego, make sure to call an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer!

• Learn about the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving campaign.
• A South African insurance company has created a chauffeur service to members called Buddy@OUT.
• Posted over at the DWI Blog is a list of Drunk Driving Prevention Programs.
• What do you think?  Could random breath tests prevent drunk driving?
• The Connecticut State Police and Mohegan Tribe have stepped up DUI monitoring campaigns.

In San Diego there aren’t too many transportation or shuttle services that cater to the crowd that loves to party.  With cab prices a little on the steep side and bus/trolley services shut down after midnight, it can be a challenge to get to and from the main party areas like downtown or universities.

Enter Bill’s Bus, a new, private bus line that shuttles passengers from Pacific Beach to downtown San Diego and back.  The idea started in Santa Barbara and has now made its way down to San Diego. Co-owners Chris Lyell, Brandon Mercade, and Brad Hansen presented the idea to Discover Pacific Beach business community’s Hospitality Task Force, an organization that is know for supporting programs aimed at preventing drunk driving.

Read more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-11-21/local-county-news/pb-bus-service-helps-partiers-leave-the-keys-at-home#ixzz0YIoXLGGs

Here are other safe ride programs available in San Diego:

• USD’s College Cab Program
• Safe Ride Solutions

Are you passionate about preventing  drunk driving in San Diego?  Read more about how to implement a designated driver program.

Arrested for a DUI in San Diego?  Hire a lawyer who specializes in drunk driving cases…

It’s that time of year again! Holiday parties and the New Year are here and that means alcohol and drinking (for many people anyways). The St. Lawrence County (New York) Stop DWI and Traffic Safety Program has shared some tips to make this holiday season safe if you’re hosting a party:

• Control access to alcohol you serve. Avoid kegs or punch bowls.
• Provide food for guests.
• Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.
• Plan ahead to provide alternate transportation for your guests if they’ve had too much to drink.

If you are a guest at someone’s holiday party, I also recommend having the phone number for a taxi cab company handy if you don’t have a designated driver.  Also, do keep in mind that there are programs here in San Diego like Safe Ride Solutions that can help you get home safely.

Of course, the best way to prevent drunk driving this holiday season is not to drink at all!  However, if by chance you are arrested for a DUI in San Diego, contact an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer to help you with your case.

Source

Photo Credit:  JAGwired

Is teen drunk driving a big issue? As much as we’d like to think our teenagers are innocent and can cause no harm, the truth is, many young people don’t really think about the consequences of their actions. Although teen drivers represent a small percentage of total drivers in the United States, teenagers cause a huge portion of accidents on the roadways.

Here are some statistics to consider:

• According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23% of teenage drivers in fatal car accidents had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08.
• Another report put out by the NHTSA showed that 50% of high school students polled admitted to driving after drinking
• According to SADD, about three-fourths of high school students drink alcohol illegally despite the knowledge of the dangers of drunk driving.

Talk to Your Teen About Drunk Driving

Talking to your teen about drunk driving isn’t something that shouldn’t be avoided because it’s a serious and tough issue to discuss or that you think they won’t listen to you. Talk to them as early as possible, way before they even get behind the wheel. The more you talk to them about it, the more likely that they’ll process and remember the information. They’ll know how much it means to you that they stay sober when they drive.

Set A Good Example

Teens learn from their parents and the role models in their life, so if you set a good example and don’t drink and drive, they’ll be more conscious about doing the same.

Teen drunk driving can be avoided if more people showed concern for their teens and had open channels of communication with them. Most of the time parents have this dominant, “Do what I say because I said so!” attitude that makes teens just want to rebel even more. Show them the same level of respect that you expect from them and they’ll be more inclined to listen to what you have to say.

If you’ve been arrested for your first DUI in San Diego, make sure to hire an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer to help you with your case.