Published on Thursday, December 29, 2005
in the Newszap.com

Sheriff cautions partiers not to drink and drive

“Stay sober, stay alert, and slow down,” cautioned Okeechobee County Sheriff Paul May about the upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities.

“After what happened last week, with five fatalities out on 441 North, we’re being extra vigilant. We will be out and, when necessary, will take corrective action,” he added.

For some, New Year’s celebrations include imbibing in alcohol, which may lead to one drinking more than is customary.

Chief Ernesto Duarte of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said that typically, more motorists are on the highways during the holidays, and a lot of alcohol is consumed during that time.

“Unfortunately, some people drive after attending New Year’s Eve parties and sometimes they do not realize that the first part of the brain to be impacted is judgment,” he said.

Chief Duarte said he wants to remind people to not risk it -- do not drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

He said there will be added law enforcement officers out during the New Year’s Eve weekend in a “Lights for Life” effort to deter people from driving while under the influence.

“If someone is caught drinking and driving, the chances are good they will be arrested under zero tolerance guidelines,” he said.

The 2004 New Year’s holiday experienced the highest fatality rate per hour with 25 people killed in the 48-hour holiday period in the state, according to a report on the FHP web site. Forty-four percent of these fatalities had alcohol involved in the crash.

In addition, the report said that Florida crash rates for drinking drivers between the ages of 70 and 85-plus years showed that 71-year-old drinking drivers had the highest involvement rate in all crashes (2.67), and the 79-year-old drinking drivers had the highest involvement rate in fatal crashes. In the age group of 15-29 years, 21-year-old drinking drivers had the highest involvement rate in all crashes (31.65) and, also, in fatal crashes (2.12).

To see the FHP report, visit the web at http://www.flhsmv.gov/ and click on General Information.

To counter the ill-effects of drinking and driving, the Automobile Associations of America (AAA) and Budweiser are once again teaming up and offering potential drunk drivers a free ride home through the “Tow to Go” program.

Tow to Go can be accessed by calling 1-800-AAA HELP (222-4357) through New Year’s Day, and AAA will dispatch a tow truck and take both the driver and the vehicle home, free of charge.

The program has kept almost 5,000 potential drunk drivers off the road over the past six years, according to an AAA news release. AAA Auto Club South and Budweiser have expanded their partnership this year and started Tow to Go in effect on Thanksgiving and will run it through New Year’s Day for individuals who have had too much to drink, the news release said.

FHP PARTY TIPS

Party Hosting:

* Don't rely on coffee to sober up your guests. Only time can make someone sober.

* Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce-and-a-half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.

* Don't rely on someone's physical appearance to determine if he or she has had too much to drink.

* Mixers won't help dilute alcohol. Carbonated mixers like soda or tonic water cause alcohol to be absorbed into a person's system more quickly. Fruit juice and other sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause people to drink more.

* Plan activities like party games, door prize drawings or amateur fortune-telling. Planned activities engage people, make for less active consumption of alcohol and ensure that your friends remember the great event long after the last piece of confetti has settled.

* Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach.

* Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.

* Offer non-alcoholic beverages or mocktails for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.

* If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, like fruit juice. Carbonated drinks absorb alcohol faster.

* Be prepared by having the number of a taxi service on hand for those who need a ride [or call Tow To Go] Also, be ready with some clean linens so you can turn your sofa into a hotel for guests who need to sleep it off.

During the Party:

* Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age, and never ask children to serve alcohol at parties.

* Don't let guests mix their own drinks. A reliable "bartender" will help track the size and number of drinks that guests drink.

* If a guest appears to be drinking a bit much, offer to freshen his or her drink with a virgin version.

* Do not push drinks! Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time.

* Have fun, but not too much fun. A good host should stay within limits in order to make sure guests stay within theirs.

* Close the bar 90 minutes before the party ends and serve a great dessert treat with coffee.

* Remember, only time sobers someone who has been drinking.

* If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, drive them home, arrange for a ride with another guest who is sober, call a taxi, or invite them to stay over.

Office Parties:

* Arrange for discounted or complimentary rooms when a party is held at a hotel so employees won't drive home impaired.

* Hire a shuttle or limousine service to provide transportation for those that have been drinking.

* Promote the designated driver concept in party invitations.

* Do not push drinks!

* If you provide an open bar, be sure the bartender has had server training to prevent over-serving and serving guests under the legal drinking age.