drunk driving

Party hardy tonight, but don't drive drunk!

Not only could you die (bummer) or kill someone else (unforgivable), but it could cost you financially big time (not savvy living).

MSN Money says the fines are just a fraction of a DUI's real cost:

A driving-under-the-influence conviction is a financial wrecking ball. A typical DUI costs about $10,000 by the time you pay bail, fines, fees and insurance, even if you didn't hit anything or hurt anybody.

A drunk driving conviction is just not worth it, especially when there are plenty of safe, pain-free alternatives.

1. Have a designated driver. If one of your friends doesn't drink, great! Carpool and be safe. Let the sober guy drive, and stop yelling at him from the back seat.

AAA logo2. Use AAA's Tipsy Tow program. Just call the number listed for your area, and tell the operator you need a "tipsy tow". You don't have to be a member to get a free 5-15 mile one-way tow home (rules vary by region).

Here are some links detailing the program in each area. (If you have more links, please leave a comment and I'll update the list.)

To check if there's a AAA office servicing your area, visit the AAA website and enter your zip code. You will be redirected to the regional office, where you can find out if the tipsy tow service is available in your area.

Google SMS3. Call a taxicab. To get the phone number of a cab company near you, send a SMS text message to 466453 ("GOOGLE" on most phones) with the word "taxi" and your zip code. For example, "taxi 55101" for taxi listings in St. Paul, MI. (You can test it out without racking up SMS charges at www.google.com/sms. Try searching for restaurants. Very handy.)

Whatever happens, just remember the message from our friends in a galaxy far far away:

Friends don't let friends drive drunk.


Star Wars PSA (1979)

Photos by (1) Noah Slater, (2) Google SMS