The season of celebration is upon us once again.
And just as the Santas and reindeers and snowmen light up roofs and lawns to lift spirits throughout the community, celebrations of other sorts get spirits flowing in other ways.
This is also the party season, as co-workers, families and friends join in celebration of the joy and goodwill that herald the approach of Christmas Day.
It’s the season of raised spirits – and of raised glasses.
Which means it’s also the season to take a sober second look at how you’re getting around. It’s really hard to get full enjoyment of the Christmas season in the back seat of a police cruiser. Or during a ride to hospital in an ambulance. Or, for that matter, in the coroner’s wagon.
If you like to imbibe a bit of alcohol this Christmas season – as many folks do – then please, keep it in the responsible zone. If you’re partying with friends, make sure there’s someone to hang on to the car keys – someone who isn’t drinking, or someone who will arrange for a taxi or an Operation Red Nose driver or some alternative way to get home.
We’re happy to see that Operation Red Nose numbers are up already – in its first weekend of operation, five volunteers gave 16 folks in New West a safe ride home (that was up from four volunteers and 11 rides on the program’s first weekend in 2013).
And, of course, don’t forget transit – with five SkyTrain stations and a host of bus routes across the city, there’s no excuse for driving drunk when you’re so close to the nearest transit stop.
If you’re hosting a party, keep in mind that you could be held responsible if a drunken guest runs into trouble on the way home. Withholding keys, or providing a cot in a back room or a space on the couch, might save everyone a lot of grief.
The main thing is to keep the good times rolling, all the way past the ride home.
