7 Ways to Get the Keys from Someone Who\u2019s Intoxicated<\/p>\n
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Most people know that they shouldn\u2019t drink and drive. Unfortunately, when it comes to alcohol, one of the first things to go is a person\u2019s ability to make rational judgements. So, that very same person who \u201cwould never drink and drive,\u201d might later kick back a few shots, and then refuse to give up his keys. Often times, an intoxicated individual won\u2019t even think that they\u2019re drunk. Other\u2019s might have only had a little bit of alcohol, believing that a subtle \u201cbuzz\u201d won\u2019t have any negative effect on their driving. However, a drunk person is the last person in the world who is qualified to make this decision. So, if you\u2019re out with a friend who\u2019s been hitting the sauce, it\u2019s up to you to make sure that he doesn\u2019t\u00a0 turn his vehicle into a randomly targeted kinetic energy weapon. Here are some ways to keep an intoxicated person out from behind the wheel.<\/p>\n
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1. Ask beforehand<\/p>\n
If you know that your friend is going to be drinking, ask him for his keys while he is still sober. A sober person is probably going to be more rational, and will have less of a problem giving up his keys.<\/p>\n
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2. Be non aggressive<\/p>\n
You know that voice people use when they\u2019re trying to talk to a potentially dangerous dog? It\u2019s the one that is very calm and soothing, almost a whisper. It\u2019s the voice that says \u201cI\u2019m no threat to you; let\u2019s be pals.\u201d Well, it\u2019s also a voice that might work if you\u2019re asking for someone\u2019s keys.<\/p>\n
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3. Take them aside<\/p>\n
Intoxicated people often have very fragile egos. So instead of kicking back the barstool and shouting at your friend to give you his keys, be a bit more subtle. Pull him aside, and speak in hushed tones. In many circumstances, a person might know that he shouldn\u2019t be driving, but won\u2019t want to appear weak in front of others. Your friend might even thank you for bringing it up and allowing him to save face.<\/p>\n
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4. Get some assistance<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t know the person as well, ask some of his sober acquaintances to talk him into giving up the keys. The suggestion will be easier to take coming from friends.<\/p>\n
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5. Play the thief<\/p>\n
If you know that the drinker\u2019s keys are in a purse, jacket pocket, or just sitting on a counter, then take them. Just wait until the drinker is preoccupied, and then quietly pocket the keys. Don\u2019t make a big show of it to the others in the bar, as someone else might blow your cover. Your friend will probably get frustrated while searching for the lost keys, but in the end, he\u2019ll have to come up with some other way to get home. You can return the keys (anonymously, if necessary) once your friend has sobered up.<\/p>\n
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6. Get physical<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t talk or steal away the keys, then your next best hope lies in brute strength. If you can easily overpower your friend, then do so and take the keys away. If you need help, then enlist the aid of others. Don\u2019t try to hurt him; just restrain him and make sure that he isn\u2019t able to to leave with his keys. Be careful, however, because intoxicated people have been known to fight like cornered animals.<\/p>\n
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7. Call the police<\/p>\n
What\u2019s more important, your friend\u2019s feelings or his life? What about the lives of others on the road? If you call the police and tell them that you think your friend might be considering driving home intoxicated, they\u2019ll do whatever they can to prevent that from happening. The police are more interested in preventing tragedy than they are in making an arrest, and they will probably have an easier time persuading your friend to give up his keys than you will. If, however, your friend is already on the road, the police may be forced to bring him in. Yes, it\u2019s a bad situation; a DUI is expensive and may result in jail time or other corrective measures. However, it\u2019s better than letting your friend cause an accident. Even if he never speaks to you again, you will still have done him a favor.<\/p>\n
You call contact AT&T’s national program to anonymously report the location of a drunk driver by\u00a0calling 1 800\u00a0CURB\u00a0DWI (800 287-2394)<\/p>\n
Sladen West is a freelance writer for defensivedriving.com, the leading online defensive driving course<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 7 Ways to Get the Keys from Someone Who\u2019s Intoxicated Most people know that they shouldn\u2019t drink and drive. Unfortunately, when it comes to alcohol, one of the first things to go is a person\u2019s ability to make rational … Continue reading