Enjoy New Year & Avoid Drunk-Driving

'Friends don't let friends drive drunk'

Each year, the number of accidents and crashes spike on New Year's Eve. So, during this holiday season, try your best to avoid such mishaps and also help your guests to stay safe, too, if you are hosting a party, by following these simple tips:

o Ensure that all guests have a ride to and from the party in a car driven by a nondrinking designated driver.

o Plan activities that take the focus away from nonstop drinking, and make non-alcoholic beverages readily available.

o Serve high protein snacks to slow down alcohol absorption.

o Put away alcohol and start serving coffee and dessert at least 90 minutes before the party ends.

o Take the car keys if an intoxicated guest is planning to drive home. Some guests may not like the idea of taking a cab home because they don't want to return again to take their car the following day. Take the following service from the Auto club then, if it's available in your state.

o Take the service of AAA's Tipsy Tow' program. The Auto Club offers a complimentary ride and tow back to the guest's residence up to a certain distance (for example, 7 miles in Southern California but 18 miles in Oklahoma) as a part of the club's public awareness campaign 'You Drink. You Drive. You Lose'. Even non-members of the club can get the ride. Callers need to keep in mind that the service excludes rides for passengers, is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver and the destination is limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted. Drivers can expect to pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor for rides farther than the maximum allowed distance. Call: 1-800-AAA-HELP (-4357).