How should you respond if someone you know is driving under the influence?

Persuading someone not to drive under the influence is the most responsible and safest action you can take. When a person has been drinking or using drugs, their judgment, coordination, and reaction times are significantly impaired, which can lead to severe consequences, including accidents, injuries, or fatalities. By intervening and encouraging them to find alternative transportation—such as a designated driver, public transport, or a rideshare service—you are prioritizing their safety as well as the safety of others on the road.

Choosing to ignore the situation or encouraging them to drive home would allow for potentially dangerous outcomes. Providing them with more alcohol would only exacerbate their impairment, and encouraging them to drive could result in legal consequences, such as a DUI charge, or worse, a tragic accident. Thus, taking action to persuade them not to drive is the most effective way to prevent harm in such situations.