Sober Driving Resource Guide
With a little planning ahead of time, any of us can avoid a costly DUI. If you're going somewhere where you plan on drinking alcohol, you can arrange for a safe ride home ahead of time. Now with so many ways to get home after a sporting event, concert or night out with friends, there are plenty of last minute rides available to get you home safe. With a plan in place for a safe ride home, you won't have to worry about getting pulled over for a DUI, or even worse, getting involved in an accident.
Designate a Sober Driver
The easiest way to deal with a night out drinking is to designate a sober driver before heading out. This could be a friend or family member who does not drink, or one of a group of people who take turns sharing the sober driver role. If someone seems hesitant to take on the sober driver duty, why not offer to buy them a meal for their trouble, or offer to be the DD next time.
Find a Sober Driver Service
Even if you can't find a friend who wants to take on the role of a designated driver, there are many new services which enable you to find a sober driver to take you home. Some of these will drive your own car home, so you don't have to worry about picking up your car the next day. Some of these services are even free.
The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety is behind a smartphone-based app which allows users to look up free taxis, and other ride and driver services. The options may vary depending on your area, but many services are available 24/7. The Sober Rides Georgia app is available for Android devices and Apple IPhones.
There are a number of other services you can contact for a ride home, depending on your county. Contact them ahead of time to see if reservations are required, and if there is any fee for the service or if it is free.
Phone: 1-404-888-0887
Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties
$15 pick up and $3 per mile.
Phone: 1-877-823-6933
Fulton County
Pick up fee and mileage.
Phone: 1-877-823-6933
Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb counties
$10 pick up and $2 per mile. Fee waived for some locations.
Phone: 1-770-507-3332
Fulton, DeKalb and Cobb counties
Phone: 1-888-674-3372
Fulton County
Phone: 1-404-713-1780
Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Forsyth and Cobb counties
Free with a recommended tip for the driver.
If you happen to be entertaining or hosting a party at your own home or place of business, some of these services offer a team of “designated drivers” to drive people home after an event. Both SafeRide America and Be My DD offer event services to take a number of people home after a holiday party, wedding or corporate event.
Tow to Go
If you are looking for a safe ride home during certain holidays, the Auto Club offers a program known as Tow to Go. It is supposed to be a last resort option if you can't find another way home, but is available throughout most of Georgia. They offer a free ride within a 10-mile radius to your home or another safe location (not another bar). It is available for both members and non-members.
The service is currently available in and around a number of holidays, including:
- Super Bowl
- St. Patrick's Day
- Cinco de Mayo
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Years
Taxis and Public Transportation
Another easy way for you to get home is to simply call a taxi, flag one down, or use a smartphone app. The Atlanta metro area has a number of taxi companies available. Some taxi drivers wait for passengers in front of popular nighttime destinations in Atlanta's Buckhead, or after a concert or Hawks game at Philips Arena.
Did you know the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the eighth-largest rapid transit system in the country by ridership? Marta provides rail and bus transit through areas of Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties. Rail service usually only operates until about 1 a.m., except for certain events like New Year's Eve, so make sure it will be running by the time you plan on heading home.
App-Based Rides
Ridesharing apps like Lyft and Uber have made it easier than ever to get a quick ride home. After downloading the app to your smartphone and entering your credit card information, all you have to do is request a ride, and a picture of the driver coming to get you will show up complete with an ETA. You can see where the driver is, and track progress on a map. You can tell the driver where to go, or enter the destination before hand. At the end, you just get out, and will automatically be billed for the ride.
*We have compiled this list of resources to help you find safe driving alternatives. This information is for reference only, and is not a specific recommendation for any of the specific services or companies. Information, availability and costs may have also changed, so be sure to contact the services directly for up-to-date information.
Have Your DUI Lawyer's Number Available
Whatever your plans, don't forget to have your Atlanta DUI lawyer's number entered into your phone. If things didn't go according to plan, or the police have arrested a friend of yours for driving under the influence, having that number can be a great resource. Lawson and Berry have successfully represented hundreds of clients facing a DUI in Atlanta, and will put our experience to work for you. Call us today and we will fight the criminal charges against you and make sure you get the justice you deserve.