New Year's celebrations and drinking often go hand-in-hand, but a night in jail doesn't have to round out the festivities.
The key, experts say, is in the party planning.
Party hosts can put several measures in place to ensure that guests who drink don't wind up with a DUI arrest.
Also be aware there is no quick way to get someone sober. Cold showers, strong coffee, oxygen and exercise "only result in a wet, wide awake or tired but intoxicated person," UC Davis advises.
California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Gonzales said having party guests hand over keys is a good way to ensure no one leaves the party drunk.
"Have people put their keys in a basket and then the host or hostess can hold those aside and make a determination at the end of the party," he said.
"If they're too drunk to drive (and insisting that they're OK), just talk to them calmly and explain the ripple effect it can cause for their family, the financial implications of a DUI, arrest and even that it can end in killing themselves or killing another person."
Is is possible to drink responsibly and be able to drive home, Gonzales said. It takes about an hour for one drink to dissipate.
"More than one drink per hour, and you may want to stay a little while and wait until some time has gone by," he said.
Time is the only thing that helps sober someone, several experts say. A document on the UC Davis Web site points out that the amount of alcohol in the blood is controlled by the metabolic rate of the liver, and there's not way to speed that up.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers several tips on its Web site for party hosts and guests.
Hosts are advised not to rely on guests' physical appearance to determine if they have had too much to drink; to designate a reliable "bartender" to help keep track of the number of drinks someone has had; and to offer intoxicated guests an alcohol-free -- or "virgin" -- version of their drink.
It also helps to know what you're drinking.
Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce-and-a-half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.
Mixers don't help dilute alcohol, and carbonated mixers such as like club soda or tonic water, cause alcohol to be absorbed into a person's system more quickly, the Web site states.
MADD also advises that party hosts stop serving drinks about 90 minutes before the party ends and serve dessert with coffee.
If someone is drinking too much, engage them in conversation to slow their alcohol consumption, offer high-protein foods, use less alcohol in the next drink, don't be afraid to insist they switch to a non-alcoholic drink and offer an alternative to driving home, MADD suggests.
Drivers who see possible drunken drivers on area highways are asked to call 911. Be prepared to give the license plate number, a description of the car and the direction of travel.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing, (916) 321-1270
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