How to Eliminate Drunk Driving at Your New Year's Eve Party

Drunk driving is a serious consideration for people who throw New Year's Eve parties. Things get wild and out of hand, and hosts can't keep track of everyone. Although it is impossible to control the actions of everyone at a New Year's Eve party, you can eliminate the majority of it by taking some extra precautions. If you're giving a big bash this year, follow these tips to keep drunk driving off the menu.

Take Responsibility

Before your New Year's Eve party even begins, make the decision to take responsibility for the people who come to your get-together. This might mean staying sober yourself so that you can keep your eye on everyone else, or naming a friend as the designated sober individual. Whatever the case, you take a chance by having a party in the first place, so do your best to ensure that everyone makes it home safely.

Choose a Bartender

Open bars are usually the most dangerous for New Year's Eve parties because nobody knows how much everyone else has had to drink. If you have a bartender who "works" the entire night, however, he or she can make the decision to cut people off when they get too inebriated. This will reduce the risk of someone taking off in his car or, even worse, driving other people away. Make sure the bartender knows that he or she can make whatever call seems appropriate to avoid drunk driving..

Remove Keys

Some people choose to take everyone's car keys at the beginning of a New Year's Eve party so that no one can succumb to drunk driving. If you stay sober, you can give keys back to others who aren't inebriated at the end of the evening, but everyone else must sleep it off, walk home, or obtain public transportation. This ensures that everything is kept under control while you enjoy the party.

Have a Sleepover