Be safe on the roads: December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Toasting in the New Year and sipping wine or a bottle of bubbly with that holiday meal helps make the season special for many people. But with the holiday cheer and blessings that you pass along to family and friends this year, add a note of caution about overindulging in beer, wine and other spirits.

The consequences of overindulging can range from hangovers the next morning to DUI arrests and traffic deaths or alcoholic comas. Every 31 minutes during this holiday season, someone will die from an alcohol-related motor vehicle crash and someone -- perhaps you -- will be injured every two minutes from an alcohol-related accident, 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 .08 percent. Anyone 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. According to the NHTSA, more than 14,400 people were killed in 2004 in traffic accidents involving drivers whose blood alcohol levels exceeded the legal limit.