Getting Friends Home Safe and Sound

You're hosting a party. That makes you responsible for your guests' safety and getting them home safe and sound, legally speaking. If you allow a guest who has had too much to drink to drive themselves home, you could be sued for being irresponsible enough to endanger them, not to mention other drivers and passengers. During the party, it's smart to watch out for trouble signs and be ready to solve the problem.

First, circulate and mingle during the party. If possible, keep tabs on who has had a few drinks. If you can stop someone from drinking too much in the first place, you won't have to stop them from driving later. Have non-alcoholic alternatives such as soft drinks, water and coffee on hand for people to choose. Encourage those who you know have been drinking to have this instead.

Also, pay attention to the behavior of your guests. It's not too hard to tell when a guest is terribly drunk. But slightly over-the-limit behavior is more subtle, although still dangerous behind the wheel. Observe your guests for these common signs of tipsiness: talking too loudly, excessive use of hands when talking, flushed face or red nose, sweating, clumsiness or unsteady walking. If you identify one of your guests doing this, you should plan to find him or her a ride. However, keep in mind that some people can drink too much without showing obvious signs. Also keep a count of how much someone as had. Even if they aren't loud, they may still be impaired.

If a guest has had too much to drink, here are some ways to help them get home safely and to prevent drunk driving:

Speak privately with the guest. Tell them of your concerns. They may argue or tell you that they're fine. Trust your instincts. Be kind, but don't give in. Better safe than sorry. Tell them that you want to arrange a way for them to get home that doesn't involve driving. Invite them to offer suggestions.

Ask a friend to drive the guest's car to get the guest home safely. Try to arrange another guest to follow, so the first guest can get back to their own car after dropping off the tipsy guest. This is a great way to avoid embarrassing the first guest, as they won't have to leave their car at your party overnight.

Other options for getting the guest home could include calling someone to come and pick them up, driving them yourself, or calling a cab. Always remember that the goal is to get the person home safely.