AAA

As 2015 comes to a close and Americans pop the cork on their New Year’s Eve celebrations, AAA warns party-goers against getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

With more than 91 million drivers on the road this year-end holiday, AAA urges drivers to be careful and cautious while out celebrating 2016.

• Commit to never driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never get in a motor vehicle with a driver you suspect has been drinking or using drugs.

• Call 911 if you observe a driver on the road you believe may be under the influence. Warning signs can include drifting in and out of the travel lane, inability to maintain a consistent speed or failure to obey traffic signs.

• Make transportation arrangements before heading out for the night. These include designating a driver, using public transportation, calling a taxi or staying overnight at your location.

• Remember, prescription, over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs also can impair your ability to drive safely.

• As a party host, offer non-alcoholic drink alternatives and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers; provide overnight accommodations to guests who have been drinking.

• Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.

• Since you can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road, the best protection is to buckle up every time you get into a vehicle.

Driving is a privilege many Americans enjoy. Consuming alcoholic beverages is also something many adults take part in. However, these two activities do not go together and should never be combined. If you are driving, don’t drink. And if you are drinking, don’t drive.