Enjoying festive times with family and friends during the holiday season is one of the reasons this time of year is so wonderful. During the holiday season, you can spend memorable time with friends, enjoy family time, or attend an office party. These festivities are fun, but they can easily take a turn for the worse if you make the decision to drive while impaired.
How closely associated are the holidays to drinking alcohol? Here are the results of a recent survey:
- 16 percent of adults say they consume more alcohol during the holidays than they do rest of the year
- 22 percent of adults say that they feel pressured to drink alcohol while attending holiday work parties
- 50 percent of adults who visit with their family during the holidays say alcohol is consumed at the gathering
- 96 percent of adults have either gone to work or known someone who went to work hungover after attending a holiday party
Being caught and convicted of driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated can have harsh consequences. If you plan on enjoying the holidays at parties that may involve alcohol, here are some precautions you should take:
- Stay sober – The only way to avoid not being arrested for DUI is to not consume alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, you should drink moderately and wait at least an hour or two after consumption before getting behind the wheel of a car. If you are unable to stay sober, make sure you have a designated driver with you who can ensure you get home safely.
- Prepare in advance – Before going out, ensure your future safety by designating a driver, eating prior to drinking, or determining if you can stay within walking distance of where you are drinking that night.
- Know your limit – If you are someone who does not drink very often, alcohol may have a more significant effect on your physical state. It is important for you to keep track of how much alcohol you have consumed and stop before you feel you have had too much.
The number of law enforcement officers on duty increases during the holidays to prevent DUI accidents from occuring. The best way to make sure your holiday season remains fun and festive is to drink responsibly and never drive if you feel you are impaired. Drive sober, drive safe.
