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From
the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Myths
vs. Facts About Drinking and Driving
Myth: Coffee can sober up
someone who has had too much to drink.
Fact: Only time sobers. It takes about one
hour to oxidize each drink.
Myth: Hard liquor is more
intoxicating than beer or wine.
Fact: A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce
glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount
of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as 1 1/2 oz. of
liquor.
Myth: Someone who has had
too much to drink will look intoxicated.
Fact: Someone’s physical appearance can be
misleading. One drink can impair someone’s ability to drive.
Judgment is the first thing affected when someone has been
drinking and important motor skills are next.
What Every Host
Needs to Know
-
Don’t rely on coffee to
sober up your guests. Only time can make someone sober.
-
Beer and wine are just as
intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a
five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an
ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of
alcohol.
-
Don’t rely on
someone’s physical appearance to determine if he or
she has had too much to drink.
-
Mixers won’t help
dilute alcohol. Carbonated mixers like club soda or
tonic water cause alcohol to be absorbed into a
person’s system more quickly. Fruit juice and other
sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause
people to drink more.
During the Party
- Never serve alcohol to
someone under the legal drinking age, and never ask
children to serve alcohol at parties.
- Don’t let guests mix
their own drinks. Choosing a reliable “bartender” will
help you keep track of the size and number of drinks that
guests consume.
- If a guest appears to be
drinking a bit much, offer to freshen his or her drink
with a virgin version.
- Do not push drinks!
Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good
time.
- Have fun – but not too
much fun. To be a good host, you should stay within your
limits in order to make sure your guests stay within
theirs.
- Close the bar 90 minutes
before the party ends and serve a great dessert treat with
coffee. Remember, only time sobers someone who has been
drinking.
- If, despite your efforts,
some of your guests have had too much to drink, drive them
home, arrange for a ride with another guest who is sober,
call a taxi, or invite them to stay over.
If a guest
is drinking too much
How do I
approach one of my guests who has had too much to drink? I
mean, I don’t want to lose a friend.
The first
time is the hardest, but your actions could save your
friends life or that you cannot let them drive home because
you care. Offer to let the guest spend the night, call a
cab, or ask a sober guest to drive the intoxicated person
home.
- Engage him/her in a
conversation to slow down the drinking.
- Offer high protein
food.
- Offer to make the next
drink and use less alcohol.
- Don’t be afraid to
insist that they sit out the sipping for awhile or
switch to beverages of the non-alcoholic variety–
sparkling cider makes a great substitute for a glass of
champagne.
How will I be held
responsible if one of my guests is involved in a crash?
The laws vary from state
to state, but you could be held responsible for the costs
associated with the crash, including medical bills and
property damage and be sued for emotional pain and
suffering.
If You Are Going Out To
Drink
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