Many people toast in the New Year, enjoy wine at Thanksgiving or down a few brews at an Independence Day cookout or Labor Day picnic. But with the holiday cheer and blessings that you pass along to family and friends, add a note of caution about overindulging.

The consequences of overindulging can range from hangovers the next morning to DUI arrests and traffic deaths or alcoholic comas. Holidays are an especially hazardous time for drunk driving. For example, around New Year's Eve there are about 54 fatalities a day involving a drunk driver, and 45 a day around Christmas, compared to 36 daily for the whole year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Ask guests attending your holiday gatherings to select designated drivers to take them home if they're planning to have more than a few drinks. As a general rule, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one a day for women. It may take longer for you to feel the affects of alcoholic beverages if you eat a meal (especially fried or fatty foods) before drinking.

Have fun and enjoy yourself, but be aware of what you consume and over what time period. The nationwide legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent. People caught driving while under the influence can face heavy fines, suspension of their driver's license and even jail. More importantly, alcohol consumption can significantly impair your judgment and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. More than 17,600 people were killed in U.S. alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2006, according to the NHTSA.