Whether you're planning a corporate event that involves alcohol or simply an elegant evening party, there are some things you should know about designated drivers. Designated drivers can cut down on the risk related to drinking and driving but they don't always eliminate it entirely.
Many Designated Drivers Believe They Can Drink
A surprising amount of designated drivers believe that "designated driver" means that they shouldn't drink a lot rather than that they cannot drink at all. Studies have found that a large portion of designated drivers have at least one or two drinks, which can be enough to alter judgment and reaction times. If your company party or event will have designated drivers, you may need to be very clear at a meeting or one-on-one that they cannot drink at all rather than a little.
Designated Drivers Are Often Chosen by Who Are the Least Impaired
Often, designated drivers are not chosen before the event begun but rather after the event has already ended--and they are chosen by the person who seems the least inebriated. This means that people need to be very clear about who their designated drivers are at the beginning of the night and those who are anticipating being a designated driver need to know from the very outset. Moreover, those who do not intend to drive should not bring their vehicle at all.
Designated Driving Is Often a "Punishment"
Many times, designated drivers aren't wild about designated driving, but are instead selected on the basis that they haven't been a designated driver recently or because they lost a gamble, such as a coin toss, used to determine who will be designated. This can lead to resentment in the designated driver and could lead to "cheating" on the designated driver's behalf. For that reason, it's often safer to get designated drivers who not only understand the responsibility they're being handed but also have volunteered for it. For instance, those who have other reasons not to drink, whether they be personal or religious.
While nominating a designated driver is a time-honored tradition, it's often simply safer to have a ground transportation company, such as Regency Global Transportation, to take guests home. This also ensures that designated drivers don't feel as though they can't enjoy the fun. For companies, having a chauffeur can also preempt some liability issues.
