Be careful: Don't let anyone get behind the wheel of a car tonight

When New Year's Eve rolls around, there are lots of warnings about not drinking and driving. And they are important. After all, behaving responsibly when you are out enjoying yourself could be a matter of life or death.

But one of the warnings that you don't hear as often is what to do if you see someone who absolutely, positively should not be getting behind the wheel of a car.

And that is almost as critical a situation as making sure you monitor your own drinking.

The person you see drinking to excess might be hard to handle. He or she might refuse to let you have the keys or to let you call a cab.

But it is absolutely imperative that you do -- even if you lose a friend over it.

There is no way to predict what will happen if a drunken person gets behind the wheel. He or she might make it home. But he or she also could end up in an accident that could end their life or someone else's.

So don't let them go -- no matter what you have to do. It is better to alert the authorities than to risk a tragic end -- even if it ends the party.

There is no toast worth the risk.

Have a happy and safe new year.

Published in Editorials on December 31, 2014 10:47 AM