HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS (2002)


to CALA News Room	December 27, 2001
DON'T LET A LAWSUIT RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

San Diego, CA - With the holiday season upon us, San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is warning citizens to be aware of the responsibilities of hosting a holiday party, as they could be targeted by a lawsuit if one of their guests gets involved in an accident. "Alcohol-related fatalities are a tragedy," said Andy Kotner, President of CALA. "So it is important to be responsible when hosting parties. A lot of people do not realize the responsibilities that come with hosting a holiday party. They need to know how to protect the safety of their guests, as well as how to protect themselves from being the target of a lawsuit." Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) estimates that 16,653 people were killed in The United States last year due to alcohol related accidents -- 1,708 of those fatalities occurred between Thanksgiving and New Years. An estimated 1,401 of these fatalities occurred in California. To ensure that you are being a responsible host, MADD makes the following recommendations: Ask guests to appoint a designated driver before the evening begins. This person drinks only non-alcoholic beverages. Make sure that you offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for these designated drivers. Don't let guests mix their own drinks. Choosing a reliable "bartender" will help you keep track of the size and number of drinks that guests consume. Don't push drinks. Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time. Prepare plenty of food so guests will not drink on empty stomachs. But, avoid too many salty snacks, they tend to make people thirsty and drink more. Plan lots of group activities - like party games. Be honest when inviting guests who are known to drink to excess. Tell them that drinking and driving is unacceptable at your party. Get their agreement to find alternate modes of transportation. If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, drive them home, arrange for a ride with another guest who is sober, call a taxi, or invite them to stay over. Educate yourself on the myths and facts about alcohol and drunk driving: Myth: Coffee can sober up someone who has had too much to drink. Fact: Only time sobers. It takes about one hour to metabolize each drink. Myth: Hard liquor is more intoxicating than beer or wine. Fact: A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, and a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as an ounce-and-a-half of liquor. Myth: Someone who has had too much to drink will look intoxicated. Fact: Someone's physical appearance can be misleading. One drink can impair someone's ability to drive. Judgment is the first thing affected when someone has been drinking and important motor skills are next. "We urge people to be personally responsible for helping their guests get home safely. Following these tips will help keep holiday parties safe, may help prevent an accident, and could help keep everyone safe from lawsuits," said Kotner. CALA is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to educating consumers on the human and financial costs incurred when the legal system is abused for greed, harassment or publicity. More than 8,000 San Diego County residents are CALA supporters. ###

This page was last updated on 04/19/05 © 2001 San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse