Everyone knows that using a designated driver when you are going out on the town for a night of drinking is smart and practical but two Louisiana women don’t seem to understand the concept.
Police in Kenner, Louisiana received a phone call about a SUV being driven recklessly on the interstate. When officers located the vehicle and pulled it over, they were shocked to discover that a 10 year old boy was the driver. The boy’s grandmother and another woman instructed him to drive because they were intoxicated! The women were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and for allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle. The 10 year old boy and a 15 year old who was also a passenger in the vehicle were later released to family members.
The designated driver is not a new concept and organizations such as MADD have conducted large public service campaigns encouraging people to plan ahead and to designate a non-drinking driver before starting the festivities. Designated drivers can save lives by avoiding accidents and can prevent people from being charged with offenses such as DUI. MADD offers coupons for designated drivers and many bars, restaurants and nightclubs will provide a designated driver with free or reduced price non-alcoholic drinks. Implied in these promotions and campaigns is that the individual selected as the designated driver will be an adult who holds a valid driver’s license.
Utilizing a designated driver is the smart and responsible thing to do but some planning (and common sense) is necessary.