Now is the time of year that holiday celebrations begin in earnest. When families, coworkers, club members or friends get together, there is sure to be a wide range of alcoholic refreshments.
It’s also a time to make smart choices about drinking and driving. With national strict enforcement of drunk driving laws, lower legal limits for consumption of alcoholic beverages and lack of driver education about acceptable drinking limits while driving, here are some guidelines to help:
1. Do not drink and drive.
Take the train, take a cab, get together in groups and order a car. If you must operate a vehicle, bring a designated driver who will not have a drink. Be strict with these guidelines—there are no exceptions.
2. Responsibly handle “traditional” family requests like holiday toasts.
If driving, bring non-alcoholic champagne or other non-alcoholic alternatives. No one should question your wisdom. Remember, it is the responsibility of the driver not to drink, no one else.
3. If you do decide to drink, understand how many drinks are too many.
This varies from person to person based not only on size and weight, but also on how much alcohol a drink contains. The amount of alcohol in “one” drink varies with who pours it, and is not really possible to estimate in a loose social situation. The acceptable guideline of one 1-oz. drink per 75 minutes for the average person does not apply if you are poured a double, not uncommon in celebratory atmospheres.
Legal intoxication cut-off limits have been reduced to .08 in most states. The fact is, motor vehicle fatalities in the United States have been reduced more than 50% with the higher drinking age and stricter law enforcement. It is a good thing.
Enjoy the seasonal parties with a focus on better health!