Celebrating? Choose a Designated Driver

How do you want to get home after the New Year’s Party this year? You can have a few choices: a taxi, a designated driver, or a police car!

By Presidential Proclamation, December of each year is designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

It is the most popular month for serving alcohol at parties, family gatherings, and social events. That makes December the most dangerous time of the year for alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities.

Think about this: An alcohol-related motor vehicle crash kills someone every 31 minutes in the U.S. and nonfatal crashes injure someone every two minutes according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics for 2004. That’s the annual average, but statistics for December show it to be more dangerous than other months.

Most people enjoy holiday drinks, but driving home after a party can be a disaster. You can have your fun and stay safe if you arrange to have a designated driver, someone who will not be drinking and who can safely drive you home after the party.

Your responsibility, however, does not end there. When you see that a person who doesn’t have a designated driver is intoxicated, arrange a ride or drive him home yourself. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.

The California Office of Traffic Safety reminds you that you have a choice: Decide whether you will be driven home by a designated driver or whether you end up riding home in a patrol car.