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The Third District of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and MPD'sGay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) offer the following tips to make any night a safe night. 

 

While many use public transportation (buses, Metro, taxis, etc.), many will still drive your personal vehicle. When doing so, you need to take extra precautions to ensure you have a safe night and return to a car that is in the same condition as you left it.

 

Read more for the complete set of safety tips.

 

PARKING:  Always remember to read all signs before choosing a parking space.  The best way to read the signs is to start at the top sign and begin to read.  You should ask yourself, "Does that apply to me at this time?"  If the answer is "Yes," you should not park there.  Continue reading the signs until your reach the last one.  If you have answered every question, "No, That does not apply to me," then you are probably OK to park at that location."  District of Columbia parking regulation can be confusing.  Your best rule of thumb is to check if you are blocking an intersection, crosswalk, fire hydrant or entrance to a building.  If you are, don't park there.  Also, if you don't see a sign, check the entire block, as sometimes signs are spread out further than you might think.  Just because another vehicle parked there does not mean it is a legal parking space.  Parking tickets are issued by multiple law enforcement agencies operating in the city, so it is likely you will receive a ticket if you park illegally.

 

VALUABLES:  After finding a legal parking space, be sure to remove all valuables from view.  This includes, GPS devices, iPods, loose change, umbrellas, clothing and anything else that could be easily removed from the vehicle.  You should also be sure not to leave your vehicle's registration or title inside the vehicle, as anyone in possession of those documents could use them fraudulently.

SAFETY:  If possible, don't park on dark or seldom-traveled streets.  If you do, make sure you are with others as you exit and return to the vehicle.  If you are alone, ask someone to accompany to your vehicle, or have them drive you there after they return to their vehicle.  If you sense someone is following you or you pull up to a parking space and there are suspicious individuals nearby, don't park there.

SOBRIETY:  Remember, the only real way to ensure you are sober is to not consume alcoholic beverages or do drugs.  If you do, you must assume you are impaired, only if even to a small degree.  Obviously, operating a vehicle while impaired is illegal and you run the risk of being arrested.  More importantly, when you operate a vehicle while impaired, you run the risk of injuring yourself or someone else (passengers, pedestrians and other drivers).  Lastly, when you are impaired, your ability to perceive danger is greatly impacted.  You are less likely to sense suspicious activity and take evasive precautions.  For all these reasons, we recommend consuming alcohol in moderation and always having a designated person with you, who will not consume alcoholic beverages.  They can serve as your eyes, ears and driver.