No one wants to get a DUI, but it can be difficult to understand the severity without any experience. The more you know about the potential consequences of driving under the influence, the better prepared you will be to avoid the situation altogether. Here are a few of the consequences you may face and some solutions to help you avoid driving while intoxicated.

In the Moment

The primary issues you will face will occur while you’re driving the car and immediately afterward. When you’re driving under the influence, your decision-making isn’t at its best and your ability to drive safely is significantly reduced. This can put your life in danger and will also put the lives of everyone else on the road at risk. Ideally you would avoid driving intoxicated altogether so you can stay safe and help to protect others on the road. Getting in an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also cause damage to your car, which can be expensive to repair.

Legal Issues

Even if you aren’t in an accident on the road, you can face major legal consequences for drinking and driving. Getting pulled over while intoxicated can result in serious legal trouble that will affect your ability to continue driving and even your criminal record. A DUI conviction carries stiff penalties that could alter the course of your life drastically. It’s much easier to simply avoid a DUI conviction in the first place by making sure that you never drink and drive.

Solutions

Choosing to never drink and drive is essential to avoiding a DUI and the consequences that may come with it. This doesn’t mean that you can never drink, just that you need to drink responsibly. You can start by making sure that you always have a designated driver if you drink when you’re out, you can also call for a taxi or a rideshare. If you know you will be drinking when you’re out it’s a good idea to make prior arrangements to help you get home, so you don’t get into a situation where you feel you need to drink and drive.

It’s always a good idea to try to prepare for the future, especially when it comes to drinking responsibly. Make plans for yourself so you can avoid difficult situations and never have to deal with the consequences of drinking and driving. That way you will stay safe and keep others safe on the road.

Read this next: How to Know if You Have a Problem With Alcohol

(BPT) - Parents and caregivers want to keep kids safe in the car, but keeping up with the latest recommendations can be tricky, especially as your child grows and their needs change. It's sometimes hard to know if you're doing everything you can to keep children as safe as possible.

Regardless of your child's age and how often they ride with you in the car, you’ll want to follow these guidelines to help you find The Right Seat.

1. Under 13? Don't let them sit up front

Whatever a child’s height or weight, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that children under 13 should never sit in the front seat, even for a short trip. Car safety standards and features like airbags are developed and tested for adult bodies, not the growing body of a child. Air bags can be inflated at speeds of 200-400 mph, which could seriously harm a child if deployed. Most car crashes impact the front of the car, so keeping kids in the back seat can help protect them from injury.

2. Tethers add extra protection

Most forward-facing car seats have tethers to secure them to the vehicle, in addition to using the vehicle’s seat belt or lower anchors. Tethers help keep car seats from pitching forward in a crash, reducing injury to the child’s head and neck. You can find the tether at the top of convertible, combination and all-in-one car seats. They’re adjustable straps that have a hook that connects to your vehicle’s tether anchors. Review your car seat’s instructions and vehicle’s owner manual to identify the correct tether location in your vehicle.

3. Don't move kids on too soon

The best protection for a child in a car is the car seat that’s right for their age and size. According to the most recent NHTSA data, nearly 1 in 10 children between 1 and 3 years old were moved on to booster seats too early. And roughly 1 in 5 children aged 4 to 7 were prematurely moved to just using a seat belt when they should have still been riding in booster seats. Booster seats help a child’s seat belt fit appropriately, which means crossing the center of their chest and not touching their neck.

4. Check car seat recommendations online

Tools and resources are available to help make it easier to check that your child is in the right seat for their age, height and weight. Visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat to compare car seats and get helpful installation instructions.

5. Free car seat checks are available

Whether you’ve just installed a new car seat or just want a “checkup” for a seat your child’s been using for a while, you can get help at a car seat inspection station near you. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge and show you how to correctly install it and make sure your child is properly secured. Find a car seat inspection station near you at NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.

6. Tweens should always be buckled

According to a 2005 report by the NHTSA, most accidents in urban areas happen under 30 mph. Be consistent and stay firm if your tween or teen resists wearing seat belts. Set safe habits for life, help keep your child safe and obey the law by making sure your child is buckled up every time for every ride, no matter how few miles or how slowly you’re driving.

7. Car seats have expiration dates

Car seats expire, because technology improves and safety standards change. If you buy a used car seat or receive one as a hand-me-down, check it carefully and make sure you know the history and whether or not it has been involved in a crash. Most car seats have an expiration date stamped on the manufacturer’s label on the side or base.

Visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat for more information and to search for a car seat inspection station or event near you.

Cars to Consider for 2019

(Family Features) Purchasing a new vehicle, while exciting, can be a burden for many shoppers. A variety of options and considerations for each make and model can turn the decision-making process into a stressful situation.

To help make that part of the car-buying process a little less difficult, consider these podium finalists for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, Truck of the Year and SUV of the Year. Each finalist is evaluated using six criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function.

These podium finalists offer a multitude of benefits, each with its own strengths, for car buyers shopping in the new year. Learn more about 2019 cars to consider at motortrendawards.com.

Sporty and Stylish – For a fun yet serious sedan, the Genesis G70 features punchy powertrains that support an agile, sporty chassis wrapped in classy exterior styling with strong graphics and a well-appointed interior. As the first sports sedan from Hyundai’s luxury line, this sleek model packs power.

Excellent Efficiency – Cruise the roads with 50 miles-per-gallon efficiency in the Honda Insight, a smartly packaged hybrid featuring thoughtful style and storage solutions, plus seamless and silent adaptive cruise control performance. With lane-keeping assist that rates among the industry’s best, its smooth ride competes with luxury vehicles while combining efficiency and style.

A Craving for Variety – If deciding between vehicle models is causing fits, consider these options from Volvo. For a fresh, modern interior with comfortable seating, the S60 sedan and V60 wagon deliver all-round performance with base 2.0-liter turbos, meaning you don’t have to pay extra for power. Or, for stylish appeal with a familiar turbo-four engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, the XC40 compact crossover provides quick acceleration and spirited steering response.

Electric Excitement – Power and torque don’t go by the wayside with Jaguar’s I-Pace, the maker’s first electric car and first all-electric SUV which boasts about 200 miles of real-world battery range. Add the adjustable ride-height for added off-road capability and one of the most original automotive designs in years, and this set of wheels can have you riding in unique style.

Rethinking an Iconic Ride – Configured to equally suit the ambitions of the off-roading newbie and expert alike, 2019’s thoughtful, thorough rework of the Jeep Wrangler features significant tech updates for the American original.

Time for a Truck – Featuring a new design, cylinder deactivation and an automatic trailer light test, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado offers more versions, more space and more options. Rear bumper corner steps and three cargo hooks at each bed corner deliver functionality, while a smooth High Country 10-speed automatic transmission makes for a smoother ride for truck buyers.

Go Ahead and Haul – If you’re in the market for a workhorse truck combined with plush luxury and tech-forward thinking, the GMC Sierra fits as a versatile cargo-hauler. This truck differentiates itself with the MultiPro tailgate, adaptive ride control and a carbon-fiber bed. The powerful drive of a 6.2-liter engine combined with a 10-speed transmission and overall body control while towing makes this truck a key asset for long-distance hauls.

Work or Play – The best-in-class styling of the Ram 1500 – sophisticated and well-executed without going over the top – packs an interior outfitted with the tools needed for activities ranging from fun to function. A 48-volt mild hybrid system saves fuel while coil-spring dampers and an optional air suspension provide a luxury car-like ride.