As New Year’s approaches, many of us will be hosting or attending parties where alcohol is served.  According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, 78% of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes were driving from 6pm-6am in December.

Jefferson Police Chief Dave Morlan offers a variety of tips to be safe when going to parties.  You should designate a sober driver before the party begins. If you plan on drinking, then don’t take the risk to drive yourself. He says that those who are responsible have a better chance of saving a life than those who aren’t.

“Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone else’s life and an inaction could cost a life.” Morlan says.

Chief Morlan expresses that if you are going to be drinking, then don’t take the risk to get behind the wheel. Because the risk of an accident highly increase when you drive drunk.

Other helpful tips when drinking at parties is to remind people who go overboard to remind them to “stop” or “take a break” and encourage them to drink water or fruit juice. And make sure there is plenty of food to snack on. Remember, buzz driving is drunk driving.