The holiday season is just over the horizon. Besides planning for celebrations and gatherings with friends and family in Georgia, it is also good for visitors and residents alike to prepare for an increase in drinking, which means an increased risk of drunk drivers and DUIs.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains why drinking increases during the holidays. Preparation and knowledge go a long way in keeping everyone safe during the most wonderful time of the year.
The facts
Compared to any other time of the year, Americans drink twice the amount of alcohol during the holidays, notes the New York Post. The abundance of parties held during Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holiday celebrations is one reason for that fact.
The considerations
One thing to bear in mind with alcohol is that its effects can creep up on a person. Even if someone does not seem visibly intoxicated, the amount of alcohol consumed up until that point could be enough to compromise the individual’s ability to drive. Additionally, alcohol does not mix well with making good decisions.
The lingering effects
Something else holiday party attendants, especially those who drove to the festivities, need to bear in mind is that they should give themselves plenty of time to sober up. While a person may have stopped drinking an hour ago, she or he may still have a substantial blood alcohol concentration level. If pulled over, the result could be a DUI.
Even if a person does not plan on driving after a holiday celebration, other factors deserve consideration. For instance, drinking too much the night before could result in having to call out of work the next day. A lot of drinking can also result in holiday debt and financial regret.