Staying safe this party season

With the party season rapidly descending upon us whether we like it or not, now is the time to start making plans to make sure you and all your mates have a really great time – and a really safe one too.

This year, why not plan in advance a designated driver schedule. OK, you might not know just yet what parties and "do’s" you’re going to be invited to, but getting a few friends onside about the idea now will make it all easier to organise closer to the time. And to make it all a little bit easier, those clever folks at CoverGirl Car Insurance have put together a list of helpful hints to ensure a fun time is had by all, including the designated driver.

Let’s be strictly honest here. As deeply responsible as being the designated driver might be – it can also be stupefyingly boring. What in the world could possibly be more annoying than being stuck with a group of drunk-as-a-skunk partygoers – and being the only person not to find falling out of a car or up-chucking in a pub loo exceptionally hilarious. (Although, you have to admit that it’d only a take a few alcopops and you’d be splitting your sides along with them)!

But the evening doesn’t have to be a complete write-off. You can still have fun too, of a different sort. Here are some ideas to make the most of your night-out as a "proper" grown-up:

• Firstly, be prepared for the fact that your friends (as lovely as they might normally be) are going to be extremely trying with a pint or two of the demon-drink inside them. If you acknowledge this in advance, it’s easier to cope with

• Make sure that everyone has a mobile on them; you sincerely do not want to be checking under coat piles (you know what we mean!) or traipsing freezing streets when it’s time to go home

• This is horrible, but necessary – make sure your car is well equipped with sick bags. Well, do you want to be cleaning your car upholstery all night? – No one else will be in a fit state to do it

• Have an emergency contact for everyone in case disaster strikes. You’ll need to contact parents and other-halves in a hurry if a trip to A&E becomes necessary

• Ask at the bar if they have any designated driver special offers. You’ll often find that they’ll be able to offer special (non-alcoholic) cocktails and soft drinks if you’re the DD

• Be evil! Take a fun camera with you to record those "precious moments" that will almost certainly occur. If your mate simply won’t believe you when you tell her what she was getting up to (and she always denies it, doesn’t she?) then for once, oh bliss, you can prove it

• There’s a certain street-cred to be had as the DD, believe it or not. Most people have a secret respect for a responsible person (reminds most blokes of their Mums, which psychologists tell us is actually a good sign) – so milk it. "Oh, no Officer, I haven’t had a drink all evening!" Just see how great that "good girl" glow feels

So, you’ll see that being responsible for at least one night of the year doesn’t have to be a total drag. And the best news is that you’ll be able to put all your friends through the same things they inflicted on you when it’s their time to be the designated driver.

"It’s a proven fact that women are statistically safer drivers than men," says Craig Handy of CoverGirl Car Insurance (www.covergirlcarinsurance.co.uk). "And organising a designated driver rota for the party season is by far and away the best way of making sure that that hotly debated fact remains true. And it’s also worth remembering that drink-driving convictions and accident claims are likely to mean higher premiums in the future."



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Editorial notes: CoverGirl provides car insurance for women, with instant quotes and an easy online application. For more information visit www.covergirlcarinsurance.co.uk or call 0800 195 4852

Author: Donna McCann. For more information call 0800 195 4852 or visit www.covergirlcarinsurance.co.uk