Technology has erased every possible excuse for driving while impaired. Whether you’re feeling bleary-eyed and tired from lack of sleep or you’re under the influence, there’s no reason to ever get behind the wheel in the era of rideshare apps. Here are some reasons calling a ride can be much smarter than driving.
Choosing Rideshares Over Driving Can Prevent an Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares that 34 people are killed in drunk-driving car crashes every single day in the United States. That means one life is lost every 42 minutes. Getting behind the wheel after drinking can be a fatal choice that can impact the lives of countless people in the grand scheme of things. By choosing to put your keys down in favor of using a rideshare app, you remove the risk of being responsible for a deadly crash. In addition to saving your own life, you’re potentially saving the lives of other innocent drivers on the road.
Of course, being intoxicated isn’t the only risk factor for deadly crashes. Even people with the best of intentions can be at the wheel when a bad accident happens if tiredness is a factor. The NHTSA identifies drowsy driving as a major risk factor. The NHTSA shares that the risk window for accidents caused by sleepiness extends from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. These accidents generally involve a single driver without passengers running off the road at a high speed with no signs of braking. Highways and rural roads are the most common scenes for these types of accidents.
Choosing Rideshares Over Driving Allows Loved Ones to Safely Track You
When accepting a rideshare you should always follow basic safety guidelines, such as waiting indoors for your ride, checking the license plate and exchanging names. Another added safety feature offered on many apps is real-time GPS tracking of your route. When you share your account with a trusted friend or family member, they can monitor as you get picked up, travel to your destination, and get dropped off safely. This offers so much peace of mind for everyone involved when you’re not in the right condition for driving.
Choosing Rideshares Over Driving Could Save Thousands in Car Repairs
Reluctance to pay a few dollars for a ride home when you’re not in proper shape for driving could cost thousands in the long run. If your impaired driving causes you to veer off the road to hit an object, collide into another car, or glide into a ditch, the damage to your car could be massive. Whether your car needs repairs or becomes completely totaled, that’s money that’s coming out of your pocket to get back on the road again.
Choosing Rideshares Over Driving Could Help You to Save Your License
Whether you’re caught driving recklessly due to impairment from substances or sleepiness, getting pulled over for erratic or irresponsible driving could cost you your license. In most states, a driver’s license is automatically suspended with a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. While a license suspension could last anywhere from 90 days to 12 months for most cases, licenses can also be revoked in extreme cases. License suspensions are also possible for drivers caught speeding or driving recklessly while not under the influence.
