Known for its unrestricted access to gambling and being a glittering oasis of a party atmosphere, Las Vegas is the city for those who know how to have fun. With so many tourists traveling to enjoy a hedonistic lifestyle in the land of plenty, many worry about their safety while traveling. Undergoing a road trip to Las Vegas should ideally involve a bit of preparation to ensure that you make the most of your journey with the utmost safety measures considered.

Have a designated driver

All states within the US have set their legal alcohol limit to a BAC of 0.08. If you’re wondering how many drinks is .08 BAC, then you’re looking at approximately four to five drinks, depending on your weight – at which rate your judgment would be significantly impaired. If you have been drinking the night before, and want to double-check whether you are below the legal alcohol limit, then using a breathalyzer, for example, one by Low Cost Interlock, will help you get an accurate reading on whether you are fit to drive. Otherwise, having a designated driver for your trip to and from the city of Las Vegas will help to ensure your safety.

Use your common sense

If you’ve turned up to Las Vegas with a healthy budget, it would be wise to not constantly flash your cash. When you are in any given city, there are bound to be criminals who might aim to target tourists – regardless of whether you’re in New York, Paris or Las Vegas. Exercising a bit of common sense when you’re walking the streets at night, in particular, will help to ensure your safety while you’re enjoying a vacation in this infamous city of pleasure.

In terms of using your common-sense on the road, it’s best to get all possible distractions out of the way first. Putting in your destination details into your GPS before you set off means you won’t be constantly fiddling with your phone or arguing with other passengers about what to put in. The same applies to any music you want to play – or at the very least, give instructions to a passenger who will put on the music for you.

Pre-plan your budget

There are so many dizzying sights in Las Vegas; it can be tempting to shell-out time and time again, which could really dent your budget – particularly if you are gambling. To stay safe when it comes to your bank account, always pre-plan your gambling budget. Put time aside to figure out how much you would be willing to part with – particularly if you end on a loss. Remember, you may very well end up with a loss, the house often wins. Try to segregate your budget into daily allowances. If you come to a loss on the casino floor, be sure to go out for dinner or lunch and have a breather. If you want to spend money wisely, you can find city-passes for a fixed rate that will help you to get out and see the rest of the city.

Staying safe in Las Vegas is all about using common sense and pre-planning. Remember: if you think you’ve had too much to drink, do not get behind the wheel of a car. A quick use of a breathalyzer should confirm when it’s time to go back to bed and some time away from your vehicle.