Drink Drive Lose

'Tis the Season for Driving Sober

As you participate this holiday in celebrations with family, friends and co-workers, toasting to the coming new year, remember this: Someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash every 33 minutes. Every two minutes, someone is injured. Don't let it be someone you love.

Law enforcement agencies are doing their part by organizing December 15 to 17 to protect the public from drivers who drink. Their efforts are part of "You Drink & Drive. You Lose.," a national campaign sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and its partners committed to safety. During this time, you can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and more officers out on the highways. No one wants to ruin their holiday by losing their license, paying fines or--the unimaginable--serving jail time.

That's why it's so important to celebrate sensibly. It takes just a little forethought to designate a sober driver before you head out for a party. Barring that, use taxi services and other alternative transportation, or if possible, spend the night rather than driving home impaired. And don't make the mistake of thinking just one eggnog won't matter; fatigue and stress--common around the holidays--can escalate the effects of alcohol to deadly levels.

If you're hosting a party, accept your responsibility for guests' safety. Don't serve alcohol to underage guests or to anyone who has clearly "had enough." Its not just the conscientious thing to do; serving those underage is illegal, and serving anyone who is visibly intoxicated can leave you liable. Offer non-alcoholic beverages and protein-rich snacks. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends. Take the car keys from any guest who is impaired; call a cab or ask a non-drinking guest to provide a safe ride home.

Employers, too, must realize their role in hosting holiday office parties. You can share the message of "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" through your company wellness program or in your employee newsletter. At your company

gathering, hand out free taxi passes, distribute a limited number of tickets to exchange for alcoholic drinks, and sign up designated drivers in advance. Too much trouble, you say? Then consider the financial and emotional costs of an employee's involvement in a crash: soaring medical insurance premiums, worker's compensation, lost productivity and damaged employee morale.

Impaired driving is a violent crime that accounts for more than one-third of all traffic fatalities every year. Why risk heartbreak around the holidays, when you feel particularly grateful for the safety and good health of your loved ones? We're all accountable behind the wheel; don't let it be a tragedy that sobers you up.

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