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Be safe on the roads this holiday season – Don’t drink and drive

By Arthur Elk

Last week, most of us celebrated Thanksgiving with our family and friends. Many of you probably started your Christmas shopping on Black Friday. As December approaches, we are in the full swing of the holiday season, with Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner.

The holidays are a festive time, full of family fun, parties and presents. They are a time for making special memories that will last a lifetime.

Some of you may be planning to attend office holiday parties. Or maybe you’re planning on getting together with some friends on New Year’s Eve. It’s likely you may drink some alcohol at any holiday function you attend. If you do, there are a few things you need to think about before you get behind the wheel.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. adults drank too much and got behind the wheel about 112 million times in 2010. Every day in the United States, 30 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents that involve an impaired driver. In 2010, 10,228 people were killed in alcohol impaired accidents.

Drunk driving can change your life and countless other lives. In an instant, one bad choice can cause a tragedy that you will regret for the rest of your life. Don’t let yourself become just another statistic … just another tragic story.

What can you do to stay safe on the roads this holiday season?

  • Prior to any drinking, designate a non-drinking driver when with a group.
  • Don’t let your friends drive impaired. Take their keys away.
  • If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.
  • If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
  • If you are the designated sober driver, be sure to keep your attention on the road. Don’t let yourself be distracted by your phone or other people in the car. Stay focused on your driving.

Make smart choices this holiday season. All of us at Elk & Elk wish you a safe and fun holiday season.