Don't Let A Christmas Party Turn Into a Tragedy

'Tis the season for our annual holiday reminder never to drink and drive and get behind the wheel. The holidays are an especially dangerous time when it comes to drunk driving accidents according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.  During the 2017-2021 December months, the NHTSA reports that more than 4,500 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

You’re a responsible driver – you would never drive under the influence. So, what can you do to change this statistic?

Be a positive influence.

Whether you’ve invited family over for the holidays, are celebrating a sports win or gathering for a family event, urge your friends and family to designate a sober driver any time they plan to consume alcohol.

Plan Ahead for a Safe Celebration.

If you are hosting a party, follow these tips to help save lives:

• Encourage guests to designate a sober driver in advance. Reward designated drivers with a small gift or door prize.
• Provide plenty of food and nonalcoholic drinks for guests.
• Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before your event is scheduled to end.
• Keep an eye out for anyone who appears to have had too much to drink and take the keys from anyone who has.
• Keep the phone number for local cab companies or ride-share services handy.

You could be held responsible for serving alcohol to a guest who later is involved in an accident and imagine the guilt you’d feel if your guest got hurt or killed or did this to someone else.

It takes planning and coordination, but you can prevent drunk driving. 

 Photo Credit: Boumen Japet/Shutterstock.com.