You must chill! I have hidden your Firebird keys!!! CHILL!!!

[Pixilated]

If they get into a car and drive drunk, call the police on them.

I have no tolerance for that kind of foolishness. Having them mad at you for calling the cops on them is much better than them killing someone while driving drunk.

I would second this for the same reason. I'd give them every opportunity to give me their keys or call a taxi or whatever, but once I knew they were on the road, that's it. They can explain how they were "just fiiiiiine" to drive to the judge.

If they're going to have to be designated driver and watchdog for the group, then everybody who's drinking should have to give up their keys until the end of the night.

This won't work so well for bar trips, but I remember a story about one guy who had an old 10 gallon water cooler bottle that he'd drop everybody's keys into at the beginning of the night. If they could fish them out with a straightened coat hanger with a bend at the end, then they were allowed to drive.

^-.-^

Very creative!*

[morgana]

If they get into a car and drive drunk, call the police on them.

I have no tolerance for that kind of foolishness. Having them mad at you for calling the cops on them is much better than them killing someone while driving drunk.

Absolutely. Two of my favorite cousins, twins, were killed by a drunk driver.

And maybe, just maybe, a night in a cell will make them rethink a few things.

[taxguykarl]

If they get into a car and drive drunk, call the police on them.

I have no tolerance for that kind of foolishness. Having them mad at you for calling the cops on them is much better than them killing someone while driving drunk.

Agreed...I lost a good friend to that nonsense. Way to stick to your guns on this. Do consider keeping different company.

[Divra]

Cops. Every time. As another person who has lost someone to a drunk driver... they might hate you, but you will have saved lives.

[Andara Bledin]

Another vote for cops.

The year I graduated from high school, the Prom King and Queen (who were dating) were killed after prom by a drunk driver running a light at the corner of the block that the school was on.

I was on yearbook staff, and her family (pretty sure it was hers) got really weird about the book and pretty much demanded a refund because they didn't want to be reminded of the daughter they lost.

I think the school had counseling, too, for people who were close to them or otherwise upset by the accident.

^-.-^

[retailworker7]

If you are going to continue to take on the task of being the designated driver perhaps you should have everyone give you their keys at the beginning of the night before they even start drinking. Also as someone else mentioned ask the bar staff for help if you need to. The bar can face legal action if someone gets into an accident.

I also agree that if someone just refuses to cooperate with not driving drunk then call the police. I think it is worth having someone be mad at you to prevent them from injuring themselves or others.

Also video taping how some of these people are acting while they are drunk and letting them watch the video while they are sober may make them realize their actions are wrong.

[KiaKat]

Alert the bar staff at the beginning of the night. There are things they can do to minimize the risk of the drunk ass getting behind the wheel.

Especially if it's at a country club, or near one.

The bar is liable if they knowingly let someone get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Anything happens, it's the bar's license on the line, as well as huge fines and possible jail time for the staff. None of them are going to risk that.

If you're worried that they'll just refuse to serve, approach it as a brainstorming session: "hey, what methods do you like to use to convince people to not drive home after drinking? Anything entertaining I can use on my friends?" I bet you they've developed a few phrases.

[Zaiida]

I'd be a hardliner here - Call the cops. It's not your job to be the logical one, they are adults. Drunk or not they do know what they are risking they just don't care. They think it's funny and it's nothing to worry about so call someone who can put them straight and out of harm's way if they want to act like that. Your friends of friends keep doing it so call the cops. Nothing you have said of done for them so far have had an impact on them.

I lost my uncle, grandmother, my brother lost 2 of best mates and nearly my mother on multiple occasions due to drunk drivers. All of the drivers were multiple offenders of drink driving. My brother used to be a shocking drunk driver until he lost his friends. It's a horrible lesson to learn.

[KiaKat]

A lot of people here are advocating calling the cops. Which, once the person is on the road, is a fairly good idea, for the safety of everyone. Wouldn't it be better to prevent the situation in the first place, however? Keep the person from ever getting behind the wheel, and you not only save lives, you keep theirs from being ruined by one stupid decision.

An ounce of prevention, and all that.

[Pixilated]

It would be better, yes, IF the person is willing to co-operate. Some people get incredibly aggressive under the influence and I wouldn't risk a punch in the mouth.

There's also the possibility of tricking them -- somebody here mentioned pulling spark plugs, and I read elsewhere of someone who, when an inebriated 'friend' demanded his keys, gave him her own ... he slept it off in his own vehicle and thanked her the next day.

But if the person is hellbent on getting behind the wheel, then the cops it is.

[PepperElf]

spark plugs

That was me. Some friends told me that they did that to a guy.

But if the person is hellbent on getting behind the wheel, then the cops it is.

Not to mention... seriously reconsidering going out with them again. Sometimes it's really not a bad idea to surround yourself with people you want to be like vs the ones who give you a ration of shit every time they get a little bit of booze in them.

[Pixilated]

Assuming I could find the spark plugs, that was a great idea.

As for not going out with them again ... that might take care of itself the first time you actually phone the cops on one of 'em.

[Flyndaran]

Anyone irrational to drive drunk is liable to become violent when hindered. Be careful.

[iradney]

If they get into a car and drive drunk, call the police on them.

I have no tolerance for that kind of foolishness. Having them mad at you for calling the cops on them is much better than them killing someone while driving drunk.

This. So much this.

[Gizmo]

The one they always seem to use in the movies is the Distributor cap... not sure of it myself as I don't know cars well enough.

However I agree with getting the bar staff on your side and clued in early in the evening. And calling the cops if someone refuses not to drive.