Health Officials Remind Everyone To Avoid Drinking And Driving On New Year’s Eve

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booze2-5

The Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone to avoid excessive alcohol consumption this New Year’s Eve. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News planning is key.

“To avoid having too much to drink, you really need to have a clear plan when you are going out,” Conrad said. “If you are planning to have alcohol, know how much is going to be too much for you, and have a plan for how you are going to get back home.”

If you’re going to drink, arrange for a designated driver. Conrad says everyone should know their limits.

“When you go out to a party, most people are actually engaging in what is known as binge drinking, when you are having more than five drinks in one sitting.”

Conrad says too much alcohol for men usually means more than three drinks in the first hour, and then one each hour after that. For women, it’s about two drinks in the first hour followed by one per hour. A drink would be considered 12 ounces. Conrad also advises those who are hosting parties to make sure they don’t let any intoxicated guests get behind the wheel of a vehicle.