Let’s agree, as we bring in the New Year, to celebrate responsibly. That means no drinking and driving, staying away from illegal drugs, no shooting guns into the air in celebration and no drunken fights at parties.

There can be pressure and hype around what to do on New Year’s eve and into the following New Year. Cultures around the world and through history have commemorated the ending of one year and the beginning of another with special foods, music and other rituals.Many people want to have a memorable time and alcohol often plays a big part in the activities, as it can throughout the entire holiday season.

First off, please! don’t drink and drive. There are plenty of reasons not to do this, and you can bet that officers from your local Police Department, deputies from the County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from the West Virginia State Police will be out in force to control such activity.

Just don’t drink and drive. The amount of alcohol it takes to get to a blood alcohol content at or above the legal limit, depends on such factors such as how fast you drink and your weight. If you have to drink, don’t get behind the wheel no matter what.

If you intend to drink, make sure you plan ahead for the ride. Ask a sober friend or family member, use a rideshare app or take a taxi. Buses or trains are also an option in many cities. Do whatever you can to prevent a tragedy. With so many options there is no excuse to drive intoxicated, putting your life and the lives of others at risk. Nothing could be worse than a fatal accident caused by a DUI.

Even if you’re sober, there’s no way to control other drivers. The best way to stay safe is to avoid driving altogether or to just stay home.

As we head into the New Year let’s look at resolutions. Most of them involve overcoming bad habits, or advancing personal goals. Getting physically fit, exercising more. Eating better (not more) just better! Trimming down some and feeling better about ourselves. It can be a good thing to gather at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and vow to try to live a healthier life. But even when our resolution for the year is the same old one from the past, our stubborn refusal to toe the line of self-discipline may not be indicative of total failure. Rather, it could be evidence that, once again, we had an interesting, rich year spent doing things enjoyable with loved ones. But, even if we make it through January with perfect habits, we inevitably encounter Valentine’s Day, when we encourage the people we love to eat more chocolate. And, of course, March brings St. Patrick’s Day, and we all know what happens then. The ultimate goal of the New Year is to stay safe, healthy and happy. We can take the first step by celebrating the New Year without drinking and driving.

Have a Happy New Year, Friends!