Enjoying a night out on the town with friends is fairly common for most people; it’s good to get out of the house when you can and socialize with friends. With that said, no one usually has a plan for staying safe while out on the town other than sticking together. While throwing caution to the wind can be relieving, you should always consider the various ways to protect yourself in a worst-case scenario.
So here’s what you need to consider anytime you’re planning to have a night on the town. By following these tips, you’ll be better suited to avoid any dangerous circumstances and enjoy your night with peace of mind.
Have a Plan for Transportation
The first step in determining the schedule for your big night out involves how you will get there. If you plan on drinking, obviously driving should be off the table when venturing out. Yearly there are on average over 100 million cases of drunk driving in the United States, making up over a quarter of all traffic-related deaths. Aside from the safety of you and your group, the safety of the other drivers on the road should not be ignored.
Whether you are going out alone or meeting friends at a location, taking public transportation or a taxi is a simple solution. Planning for a designated driver can also be an easy solution while going out with a number of people. With an abundance of ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft, there is no reason to find yourself behind the wheel of a car while impaired. Even if you avoid physical harm driving under the influence, DUI fines can reach upwards of $1000 combined with a potentially suspended license and any other subsequent legal fees. Try skipping those legal fees at your own risk, as well; the law firm Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP argues that it’s possible that you can win a DUI case with a public defender, but it’s much more likely with a professional lawyer.
Simply planning out a method for transportation prevents all of these issues, ensuring there are no mistakes if you’ve had one too many drinks.
Moderating Your Alcohol Consumption
The source of many problems during your night out, alcohol is the number one ingredient for trouble. Being able to understand your limit can go a long way while trying to stay safe. Whether it is drink specials or your friends being overly generous when buying rounds, things can easily go overboard and leave you feeling out of control.
Finding a moderate pace while drinking is the best method for keeping things in control, avoiding the slippery slope of quick shots and binging. Peer pressure can sometimes get the best of us, so try and stick to a limited number of drinks per hour. The average person will be above 0.08% blood alcohol content by merely having two drinks within one hour.
Confrontation and drunken missteps are a common side effect when you have one too many. Save yourself the embarrassment by keeping track of how much, and more importantly, how quickly you are drinking throughout the night.
Have Emergency Cash on Hand
If you have a number of locations you plan on visiting throughout the night, it is always important to have extra cash at your disposal. If you plan on hitting the clubs after dinner, or maybe you are hopping bar to bar, losing items can be a common occurrence.
Having emergency cash as a backup plan is a great preventative measure. Accidentally leaving your credit card when paying a bill, or possibly losing a purse or wallet altogether can leave you in a sticky situation. Having enough cash to at least pay for a taxi back home can save you a lot of heartache and ensure your safety throughout the night.
Avoid Confrontation and Unsafe Scenarios
It is easy to get carried away with drama while heading out for the evening. Sobriety is few and far between, which can lead to confrontation within your group or with strangers. If you know that a member of your party or yourself are prone to unnecessary conflict, take it slow with the drinking or plainly remove yourself from potential situations. The best preventative measure in any questionable situation is always planning to avoid it.
Avoiding unsafe scenarios can also mean making smart choices with new friends you meet out on the town. Sometimes the flow of the night will carry you from one bar to another. You may even find yourself invited to a house party or an unknown club. Don’t feel pressured into continuing the fun in a place that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Don’t Venture Out Alone
In conjunction with avoiding getting dragged to places that are unknown to you, it is even more important to not do it alone. If you go out with a big group of friends, sometimes it’s unavoidable that smaller groups will split off to various locations.
It’s important to at least stay in groups of three, especially when walking on the streets. As mentioned before, having a plan on transportation can prevent a late-night walk home alone. Avoiding putting yourself in a vulnerable position alone, especially while drinking, is a worthwhile precaution.
In a scenario where you are left alone or in short numbers, be aware of your surroundings. Make note of where you are going and how you got there. Knowing certain landmarks can act as a fail-safe in the event you are venturing out alone.
Final Tips
The overarching theme when planning a night out on the town is “better safe than sorry”. While it’s easy to assume things will go as swimmingly as any other night out, it doesn’t mean you should be negligent with your preparations.
Always have a safe way home if you feel the need to escape the night early. It could mean having extra cash for a ride home, or simply a designated driver you’ve planned beforehand. Avoid putting yourself in scenarios with people or places you aren’t comfortable with. And finally, be aware of how much you are drinking. Those one or two extra shots can mean the difference between a fun night and a disastrous one.
Following these tips will keep your night out a safe and fun experience.
