As we approach the holiday season, the number of local events, private and office parties, and gatherings will be increasing tremendously, and the temptation will be there to not only enjoy the festivities, but to overindulge in alcohol as well.

For members of the military, the Sober Ride program allows airmen to call a hotline and get picked up and driven home, anywhere in the county, for free. The stigma against using the hotline vs. the devastating affects of getting a DUI should be enough for any airman to forgo pride rather than their career.

For those not in the military, several area clubs assist customers in finding a way home if they’ve been indulging too much, but the safest and smartest thing for all to do is arrange for a ride ahead of time.

If you know that the event you are attending is one at which you want to enjoy several alcoholic drinks, make sure you have a designated driver and a way home.

Make sure you have a friend who will keep an eye on you throughout the evening. Be certain to keep some cash on hand in case you need to call an area taxi service.

The most important thing is to not drive while intoxicated. The risk to your reputation, your career, your family and your relationships is simply not worth the few hours of fun you might have had. A DUI in many companies and professions is grounds for immediate dismissal, and with the job market like it is today, no one can afford to lose their job over something so easily preventable.

No matter how little you’ve had to drink or how good you feel, more than two drinks for just about anyone is enough to make you impaired.

Don’t tempt fate this holiday season. Don’t be the reason for someone losing a loved one. Don’t create unnecessary grief in your life. Just simply don’t drink and drive.

Not only because it’s the law, but because the personal costs are too high.