Before any bottles are popped, have your ride home locked in.
Warm nights, patio lights and big laughs with friends? It’s a vibe.
Dinner parties, office get-togethers, nights at the rink or cozy evenings catching up with friends. Tis the season the calendar fills up fast!
If drinks are part of the plan, make your safe ride home part of it, too.
A designated driver. A rideshare. A taxi. Transit. A friend’s spare room or couch. There are plenty of options that don’t involve getting behind the wheel after drinking.
A little buzz can put your driving skills on ice.
Driving under the influence doesn’t always mean being obviously drunk. Getting behind the wheel when you feel only slightly “buzzed” can still put you and others at risk.
Alcohol affects everyone differently. Factors like not eating enough, fatigue or dehydration can make alcohol affect you more than expected.
Buzzed driving is still drunk driving. Even a little alcohol can slow reaction time, reduce focus and increase the risk of crashes, arrests, injuries or worse.
If you’ve had anything to drink, take driving off the table. Driving any vehicle while impaired by alcohol is not only extremely dangerous – it’s a crime. Manitoba takes a strong stance against drinking and driving with some of the toughest penalties in the country. The risks and consequences just aren’t worth it.
Before you pour, know your way home.
The easiest time to figure out your safe ride home is before the first drink. Open up your options and choose what works for you:
- Pick a designated sober driver before heading out.
- Call a rideshare or taxi. Have the app ready or make arrangements ahead of time.
- Take public transportation if it’s available in your area.
- Stay the night. A friend’s couch, guest room or other safe place is always a better place to land than behind the wheel.
- Don’t leave your friends out in the cold. If someone has been drinking, don’t let them drive. Take their keys, call them a ride or help them find a safe place to stay.
And remember: Mixing alcohol and cannabis can significantly amplify impairment, even if each is used in small amounts. The combined effects can intensify drowsiness, slow reaction time, and impair judgment more than either substance alone, making driving especially dangerous.
Wine down the night the right way.
Even if it’s just one or two, pour yourself into the passenger seat. Plan ahead, pick your option and leave the driving to someone sober.
