Atlanta Sober Driving Guide

A DUI conviction is something no driver ever wants to experience. The penalties are harsh, and the conviction stays on your criminal record forever. Fortunately, the State of Georgia and City of Atlanta have many resources available for drivers who want to imbibe in a safe and responsible manner. Some strategic planning before a night of celebration can help you avoid a DUI charge.

Below you will find a number of resources to help you get home safely. This information is provided for your reference, and is not an endorsement for any of the businesses or services listed.

Designated Drivers

Designating a driver ahead of time may be the simplest way to avoid a DUI, so long as the designated driver keeps their promise to stay sober. For some people, acting as the designated driver may not seem like much fun when everyone else is celebrating with drinks, but avoiding a costly DUI can be powerful motivator. There are other ways to convince friends that designating a sober driver is the right move.

• Take turns among friends acting as the designated driver, so everyone gets a chance to let loose without risking a DUI;
• Others can offer to buy the designated driver dinner as part of the night out;
• Let the designated driver drive your car instead of their own; and
• Make sure to respect the designated driver and their vehicle.

There are also some new and innovative resources to keep drivers safe on the road. Sober Rides Georgia for  Apple devices claims to offer free sober rides for Georgia. “Any place. Any time. Across Georgia.” This app comes from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), and provides a listing of free taxis and other driving services available.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has compiled a list of sober/safe ride programs, with some offering to give you a ride home, or drive you and your vehicle home. Some programs are free, while others require a fee. A number of these programs are available throughout the State of Georgia.

Atlanta Metro Area

Saferide America

Phone: 404-888-0887

Hours: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Serves Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett counties – $15 for pick up and $3.00 per mile.

Be My DD

Phone: 1-877-823-6933

Hours: 24 hours a day/7 days a week

Details: A driver takes you home in your own vehicle for a fee.

https://www.bemydd.com/our_services

Cobb County

Metro America Safe Drivers

Phone: 770-507-3332

Hours: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Details: A driver takes you home in your own vehicle. Free, with a tip recommended.

http://www.metroamericasafedrivers.org/

DeKalb County

Metro America Safe Drivers

Phone: 770-507-3332

Hours: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Details: A driver takes you home in your own vehicle. Free, with a tip recommended.

http://www.metroamericasafedrivers.org/

Fulton County

Metro America Safe Drivers

Phone: 770-507-3332

Hours: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Details: A driver takes you home in your own vehicle. Free, with a tip recommended.

http://www.metroamericasafedrivers.org/

Designated Driver Alternative is a service that provides safe transportation to Atlanta drivers. Funded by the Atlanta Fundraising Foundation, the aim of DDA is to reduce the numbers of impaired drivers on the road by increasing the resources drivers have to access reliable and safe modes of transportation. Currently, anyone who doesn't feel safe to drive may call or text DDA between the hours of 8:00 pm - 4:00 am and a designated driver will be dispatched to your location. An app for iPhone and Android is in development.

Hired Drivers

The greater Atlanta area is serviced by several taxicab companies. If you're feeling luxurious, you may even want to hire a limo to take you around. The benefit of this is that many limousine companies will permit passengers to enjoy a drink while on the road.

• Cascade Cab Company
  404-758-5521

• Aarons Taxi Service
  888-610-7473

• Atlanta Checker Cab
  404-351-1111

Rideshare Services

With the introduction or rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, getting a ride home has been made even easier. No cash or cards have to exchange hands. It can all be done from the convenience of your smart phone. And with the graphic and location features of the app, you can see where your driver is and how long it will take for them to arrive.

Stay the Night

An alternative to a designated driver is simply to stay the night where you plan to go out. Next time you plan a night out, consider getting a hotel. You can treat it like a mini-vacation and don't have to worry about driving while impaired.

Contact Your Atlanta DUI Lawyer

Whatever your plans, you should have your Metro Atlanta DUI lawyer's number available. If something goes wrong, or if a friend ends up driving home while impaired, having your DUI lawyer's number handy will ensure a fast response to the question of “what do I do now?”

If you were arrested for a DUI in the metro Atlanta area, you still have a chance to have your charges reduced or dismissed, and keep your license to drive. No matter what you said to the police before they arrested you, you have legal defenses available that may give you a chance to keep your record clean. Call me today so we can talk about what happened when you were arrested, and I will defend your rights in court.