Stop a DUI Before it Happens: Six Rules to Keep Everyone Safe

November 13, 2025 // 5

The easiest way to shut down a DUI is to stop it before it starts. And it goes down smoother when we all work at it together. DUI-proof your next night out by sharing this list of tips and making a safety pact with your friends. Together, you can keep the fun going – and keep your record clean.

Make a Plan Before you Leave

Our first tip is the most important: don’t wait until you’re drinking to think about how you’ll get home. Instead, come up with a plan before you go out. Not only will it hold you accountable – it will help ensure that you don’t burden “future you” with an important decision like whether or not to drive when your judgment is impaired.  Talk with your friends about how you’ll get home, who’s playing DD and how long you’ll stay out. Then decide on a course of action and stick to it.

Keep Your Car at Home

You can’t get a DUI if you’re not driving. If you plan on drinking at all – even if it’s just one or two beers – leave your car at home so a sober ride is your only option. The cost of a taxi or Lyft is way easier to stomach than the expense of a DUI.

Know Your Options

Even small towns in South Dakota have safe ride options. Keep a list of alternatives saved in your phone, including rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, numbers for local cab companies, public transit schedules, or safe ride programs like Rabbit Ride in Brookings and USD Safe Rides in Vermillion.

Pro tip: set an alarm in your phone reminding you to call or book a ride 20 minutes before it’s time to go.

Rotate a Designated Driver

Take turns stepping up to be the sober driver in your group. And when it’s your turn to be the DD, commit to not drinking any alcohol. With mocktails and other non-alcoholic options like hop water, you can still have a good time without drinking. Plus, you get the benefit of actually remembering all the funny stories the next day.

Create a Code Word When It’s Time to Go

Designated a code word your group can use when it’s time to leave or when a friend has had too much to drink and needs a quick exit. Having a code word helps take embarrassment or conflict out of the conversation and signals to everyone that you’re putting safety first.

Never Leave a Friend Alone

When a friend’s been drinking and they’re left alone, they may be more likely to make a dangerous decision – like driving home. Buddy up, and stick around until the last friend finds a safe ride.