The News (New Glasgow)

Drinking responsibl­y over the holidays: what you should know

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Car crashes are more common on Christmas and New Year’s Eve than at any other time during the winter. Here are a few reminders that’ll help you celebrate the holidays safely. The dangers of driving while impaired are well known. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), over half of the fatal crashes that occur every year involve drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol. Cannabis is detected roughly half the time that drugs are involved. Whenever you get behind the wheel, you’re responsibl­e for the safety of the passengers in your vehicle. You’re also obligated to those you share the road with. Though driving under the seem like a small matter, by doing so you’re in fact risking many lives. Waiting for a cab or spending the night on a friend’s couch may seem inconvenie­nt, but it’s a small price to pay to ensure everyone’s safety, your own included. Once you’ve consumed alcohol, it will remain in your bloodstrea­m functions for several hours, no matter or how much food you eat. Indeed, there’s no quick way to get sober. Therefore, the best strategy is to designated driver service, or a friend or family member to take you home. If you notice that a friend, colleague or family member is planning to drive even though they’ve had a few drinks, try to talk them (possibly away from other guests so they don’t feel if they become confrontat­ional, get someone to help you. If all else fails, you may need to call the police. and alcohol is risky but getting behind the wheel while tired or distracted can also cause road accidents. The Canadian Automobile Associatio­n reports that driver inattentio­n is responsibl­e for nearly 4 million crashes in North America every year.

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