Celebrating a birthday, drinking to a workweek finished, or just spending time with friends, drinking alcohol is a common activity that many people take part in, especially on the weekend. When the night’s over and you're stuck at the bar, you are now faced with the decision on how to get home. The rest of the human race hopes you planned ahead and that a designated driver is on his way to pick up and before you know it you’re snuggled under covers, in your warm bed, only worrying about the hangover you will feel in the morning. In this day in age, we know that there is a strong possibility that you may not have a ride home and you are faced to make the decision of driving while intoxicated or calling for an Uber.

If you, unfortunately, put yourself in that situation, everyone around you hopes you make the right decision. By right decision we mean, call Uber, a cab, a friend, anyone who is sober and can pick you up. Not only do we hope you get home safely, but we want everyone around you to feel safe. You may previously driven while intoxicated, and nothing happened, but no one is invincible. Those occurrences where nothing happened aren’t “skill”, it’s pure luck. It only takes one time, one drive home, where you can change your life and the lives of so many others forever.

Unfortunately, social media shows how often individuals are killed due to drunk driving. Your actions do not only impact your life. Having a father killed from a drunk driver has given me first hand experience of what happens when one’s “luck” runs out. Not only is the driver’s life changed, but also the lives of so many others forever. A wife will now sleep alone, daughters will never have a father-daughter dance at their wedding, a grandchild will never know his pop-pop, and a best friend will forever have a void in his life. Your simple decision destroys others.

When looking at the two options presented, you may compare the benefits between driving yourself home and taking an Uber. If you decide to drink and drive you are saying that the life of anyone you encounter, while diving intoxicated, is not worth the $40 (if that) for an Uber. When making this decision you most likely did not think of your decision in that way, and most likely are a well liked individual, but being part of the victim’s family, all I see is the comparison between the price of the Uber and my father’s life.

It's 2016, between technology and the multiple resources available, drunk driving should not be a thought. Planning a designated driver ahead of time or using an app on your phone should be your only options when going out for a night of drinking. I hope you make it safely to your warm bed at night, and I also hope my loved ones make it home to me.