It is Christmas.  A time for celebration for those in the Christian faith.  Shopping is over, unless you are boycotting, or if you are a “hardcore” last minute buyer.  I personally have no desire to do anything but unwind and enjoy some company.  Unwinding involves music, conversation, and occasionally some “liquid refreshment”.  Living in a rural area, someone has to remain sober to get behind a wheel, or a sleepover becomes imminent.   I am thinking this is where most avid drinkers are sighing, rolling there eyes, and clicking the nearest hyperlink to get off this discussion.  For you that remain I offer some quick facts in order to illustrate a point that MADD is trying to make;

_According to provincial statistics, 271 people have died on OPP-patrolled roadways this year – 42 of whom died in alcohol-related collisions.

During the five-week RIDE initiative last year, OPP officers stopped 884,729 vehicles at roadside checkpoints. As a result, 319 people were arrested and charged with criminal code alcohol-related offences. Officers also issued a total of 784 12-hour suspensions and issued 353 ninety-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspensions.

“Drinking and driving is a serious threat to public safety and remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. The tragic loss of life and the burden on the health care system that results touches every one of us at some point in our lives,” OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said in a statement._

You and I both know the safety risks involved in this activity, so if you can stop it this Christmas,  or anytime, please do so.  It’s not only the alcohol that gets the blame, impaired driving is any situation where the ability of the person driving is diminished.  Care and control of the vehicle is compromised when our senses are distracted by other things in or around the car as well.  New legislation will enforce penalties for driving while using devices that take our attention away from the road.  There is no planned fine for driving while tired.  Caffeine, stimulants and other tricks may revive us temporarily, but these things are not reliable and do not work for long periods of time.  The only real solution to driver fatigue is to avoid being tired in the first place.  Here are some tips to make sure you are alert enough for a nighttime drive:

• No Sleep Debt: Before a long or nighttime drive, be sure that you have had several nights (in a row) of 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Plan on setting aside this time before you leave.
• Take Breaks: Taking a break during your drive will allow you to stretch, move and wake up. Plan for breaks and even a quick 20-minute nap.
• Arrive by Midnight: The time between midnight and early morning is when our body most wants to be sleeping. This is the most dangerous time to be driving in respect to sleep.
• Know the Warning Signs: If you are yawning constantly, can’t remember the last few moments of driving or cannot keep your eyes focused, pull over and take a quick nap. These are dangerous things to ignore because:

• They distract you from driving at a time when you need to concentrate.
• The situation on the road can change so quickly, in short distance, and at any speed.

When you know you should stop, the only impairment left becomes false pride.   After two hours of driving most sober people are tired of driving.  After four hours, a break is a must.  Getting out, doing some jumping jacks, and running around the vehicle three or four times sounds ridiculous, but it may save your life!  As you deliver or receive holiday cheer this season, and all year ’round, drive safe!