Since the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times for motorists, it is no coincidence that December has been designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. This is a time when communities and law enforcement agencies nationwide partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.

All drivers risk impairment when consuming alcohol or drugs. Underage drinkers (16-20 years of age), young people 21 to 34 years old, and repeat DUI offenders are more likely to drive while impaired. In December 2006, 1,076 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher--above the legal limit in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The NHTSA is quick to point out that impairment takes place at BAC levels below the legal limit. "Impaired driving" is defined as "a reduction in the performance of critical driving tasks due to the effects of alcohol or other drugs." That means impairment can begin with just one alcoholic drink--whether it's liquor, wine or beer. At .02 BAC (about one drink), for example, drivers typically experience some loss of judgment and ability to divide their attention. At .05 BAC, most drivers are significantly impaired. This level of impairment reduces coordination and response to emergency driving situations. It also induces drowsiness and interferes with the ability to steer and visually track moving objects.

One of the best ways to prevent impaired driving is by responsible party hosting. If possible, have someone serve drinks rather than having guests serve themselves, because a bartender can monitor and limit your guests' drinking. If guests do help themselves, make sure the containers holding the alcohol are properly labeled, and provide a shot glass so guests can measure how much they're consuming. If you serve alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base such as fruit juice, because the body absorbs alcohol faster when mixed with carbonation. Also, have an equally attractive selection of non-alcoholic beverages on hand.

Always serve food with alcohol, but limit salty, thirst-producing appetizers. Cheese, meats, vegetables and fruits are good because they stay in the stomach longer, which slows the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol.

It takes about one hour per drink to eliminate alcohol from the body, so it's wise to stop serving alcohol at least an hour before guests depart. Coffee, fresh air or cold showers do not help a person become sober. Only times does that.

If, despite your best efforts, a guest drinks too much, do everything possible to prevent him or her from driving. Insist that a sober friend drive your guest home, or offer to pay for a taxi.

The NHTSA offers some steps people can take to enjoy safe holiday celebrations:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities.
• Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement.
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.

The holidays offer a good opportunity for parents to talk about drinking and driving and to model appropriate behavior to their children. You can also protect yourself from impaired drivers by driving defensively. Insist that everyone in the car wear a seat belt, and report any driver who is driving erratically to law enforcement officials.

As we approach this holiday season, let's all remember that the only truly safe driving is sober driving. The main message of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month is "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." For more information on keeping the holidays safe, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org. A pamphlet from the NHTSA called "The ABCs of BAC: A Guide to Understanding Blood Alcohol Concentration and Alcohol Impairment" is available at that Web site or by calling 1-888-327-4236.