A guest at your gathering has clearly had too much to drink and reaches for their car keys. What is the most responsible action?

Why A is correct

The chance to prevent this closes quietly and long before the engine starts. Once somebody is intoxicated, arguing about their judgement means arguing with the faculty that has already gone, so the effective move is physical rather than verbal: keys away, a ride arranged, or a bed offered. Promises about quiet streets are worthless, because impaired driving does not improve on residential roads. Several jurisdictions also attach liability to whoever supplied alcohol in certain circumstances, and beyond any of that sits the simple fact that you know their name and will hear about tomorrow.

Why the other options are wrong

B. Let them go provided they promise to keep to quiet streets

Residential streets carry exactly the hazards that kill pedestrians and cyclists. The route makes an impaired driver safer for nobody who happens to be on it.

C. Nothing — the moment they walk out the door it becomes their problem

Waiting until they leave hands the decision to the person least equipped to make it. Every intervention that works happens while they are still inside your house.

D. Follow behind in your own car to make sure they arrive

Following behind prevents nothing whatsoever. There is no way to intervene from another vehicle once anything begins, and the escort mainly provides reassurance to the wrong person while confirming the impaired driver's private belief that they were right to set off after all.

On the road

One host takes the keys, orders a car, and has an annoyed guest for about a day. Another lets them drive and spends the following week doing things that cannot be undone by any apology. Part of the first version is uncomfortable for ten minutes; part of the second never leaves. Nobody has ever regretted taking the keys once.

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