Usually it's a good idea when going out for a 'night on the town' to have someone chosen as your Designated Driver (or DD). That person then shouldn't drink (aka stay sober) the entire night to make sure the people having fun get home safe. That's idea at least.

Researchers at the University of Florida conducted a study of nearly 1,000 bar-goers on six different nights to see how many were the DD and how many of those DD's actually had been drinking. Most of the volunteers for the study were around the age of 28 and a male college student.

Now, it should be noted that a DD can have a drink or two but nothing that would put them at a level that they shouldn't drive. The researchers found that one in three DD's actually went above and beyond the legal limit for drunk driving.

According to head researcher Professor Adam Barry most times the DD is chosen by who drank the least at the bar:

If you look at how people choose their designated drivers, oftentimes they're chosen by who is least drunk or who has successfully driven intoxicated in the past—successful meaning got home in one piece ... that's disconcerting.

Most concerning for Barry was the group dynamic of how the DD was chosen based on the driver's belief that their one or two drinks wouldn't impair their driving ability. In most cases he says:

"That’s the insidious nature of alcohol - when you feel buzzed, you’re drunk."

So next time your heading out and you need a DD, call a Cab or entrust in someone who doesn't drink at all - This will help to ensure you make it home safe and sound at the end of the night.

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