How to get home safely when you’ve had 1 too many

As a student, you might come across a few celebratory events.

Consider these alternatives to stay safe if you can’t drive.

Ever woken up at home after a hectic night out and wondered when and how you got there?

If so, then here are some tips on how to avoid it next time, courtesy of SA National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) national co-ordinator Louina Le Roux.

– Go out in a group

Create a “buddy system” with at least one of your friends. When you go out with friends, at least one of them should be a person who doesn’t drink very much and be willing to watch out for you and to tell you when you’ve had enough.

– Make use of transport services like Taxify or Uber.

Develop contacts with cab drivers so you can call them when you need them.

– Have a designated driver

When going out in a group, arrange for one of your friends to abstain so somebody can drive home. It may just be a good idea to arrange a designated-driver roster.

– Stay over at your friend’s house

If you suspect that you may have a difficult time getting home at the end of the night, arrange to sleep over at a friend’s or fellow student’s place close by. This is a safe option, but be sure to only ask someone you trust.

– Book into the nearest accommodation

If you have no other option, consider booking a room for the night close to where you are for the evening. This may be a costly option, but at least you’ll be safe and stand no risk of accidents, roadblocks, robberies or being arrested for public intoxication.

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or  for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!