DUI Task Force News
The winter holidays are upon us. Normally, this would be a time for formal or informal gatherings such as planning a dinner or a holiday party. Regardless of what type of gathering you are planning, your job as the host is very important. Your many responsibilities include planning the menu, entertainment, gifts and games.
However, some of the most crucial details can be overlooked in all the frenzy. Perhaps your most important responsibility as host for a gathering is if alcohol is involved and, if so, to take steps to ensure your guests’ safety both during and after the celebration.
Drinking and driving is an all too familiar and tragic combination. Often times, more people are on the road and they are consuming alcohol as a part of their holiday celebrations.
According to the Montana Department of Transportation, there have been 191 fatalities on Montana roads so far in 2020 compared to 184 fatalities in 2019. Additionally, providing alcohol to underage youth is illegal, but often times parents allow their children to drink alcohol during holiday gatherings.
The Roosevelt County DUI Task Force would like to offer tips to help keep your holidays safe, legal and fun this season. First and foremost, recruit people ahead of time to be sober drivers, who can ensure that everyone makes it home safely.
Also, avoid making alcohol the main focus of social events. Instead, entertain guests with music, dancing and games. This is a great opportunity for adults to be role models to youth, showing that alcohol does not need to be consumed to have a good time. As a host, provide a wide arrange of drinks, including non-alcoholic beverages.
If you are going to serve alcohol, make sure there are plenty of food choices available for everyone in attendance. Foods high in protein like meat and cheese are great choices, because they slow down the absorption of alcohol into the blood stream. Towards the end of the event, stop serving alcohol. Instead, choose this time to serve desserts, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks.
Remember, your most important responsibility of the night is making sure everyone has a safe ride home. Enlist the help of the sober drivers you recruited before the event. Have their phone number on hand in case you need it. If there are no reasonable options for a safe ride home, always be prepared to have guests stay the night at your home. If a person insists on driving despite his or her obvious intoxication, take the keys, ask for help from other guests or temporarily disable the car. If all else fails, say you will call the police (and do so).
