December is a time for gifts and celebrations. It is the only time of year when we actually enjoy having snow on the ground. It is the month when we spend the most time with those we hold dearest. December is also a time for office parties and drunken evenings with our friends and family. In other words, it is a month of fun!
The stress of our daily responsibilities has finally subsided. We can let ourselves go. However, some things do not change: it can be difficult to establish limits and restrictions. They are different for everyone—not eating too much red meat, being careful not to eat too much of the mashed potatoes, not going overboard on desserts, etc. The most important question of all is about which drink will go best with each of the dishes. Start with something bubbly, red wine with dinner, white wine for my mother who does not drink red wine, whiskey for my friend Sylvain who wants to show that he can handle it, and of course some Baileys to help wash down everything else. We often don’t realize the amount of alcohol we consume in the heat of the moment. In fact, we usually don’t realize how much we have consumed until we leave the festive environment and the excitement of the evening behind. What’s worse is that we tend to only realize how much we have consumed when we are on our way home, but at that point, it is too late. We often hear about how to deal with overeating during the holidays, but there is never enough prevention when it comes to excess alcohol consumption at holiday events. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to plan the evening or event accordingly.
There are available services that offer rides home to potentially impaired drivers, such as Tolérance Zéro or Operation Red Nose. If you plan in advance, they will come at the time you request, when your guests are most likely to leave. Don’t worry, our insurers want to ensure that your life is valued above all else. Thanks to RSA and other insurers, Lareau will not penalize you when you renew, if you make a claim when using a recognized service that offers rides home to potentially impaired drivers. Therefore, there is no need to be worried about your auto insurance, and you’ll get home in one piece… though you may have a bit of a headache!
Yes! Breathalyzers for one-time use allow you to determine whether you are, or another person is, able to drive. They can be easily purchased and are sold in many stores, such as Lebeau Vitres d’autos. If you don’t already have one, what are you waiting for?
Whether it be family members, colleagues, or even the designated driver of the evening, most people are not good at judging their ability to drive. No matter who or what excuse used, driving after having too much to drink is a major no-no! Unfortunately, we sometimes feel anxious about questioning our loved ones in fear of bothering them or feeling like a killjoy. However, prevention and not allowing an intoxicated person to drive could save lives. Another system of prevention could be to designate a person for the night who does not usually become inebriated to hold onto and return car keys to only those who are able to drive.
It could be you, an innocent victim, or even a loved one who is with you in your car. Think before you drive, because after, it will be too late…
Not only is it important to be responsible on the roads, because your life and the lives of others depend on it, but your insurance record will also be affected. Losing your licence will automatically lead you to require insurance from specialized companies. In such cases, your premiums will be higher for several years, up to three times the regular rate.
Enjoy the festivities, spend quality time with your loved ones, and most importantly, make your travel arrangements before your judgment becomes clouded!
Happy holidays! Cheers!
