Apo and PSCS2. I decided to post this for New Years Eve after I heard some disturbing statistics: New Years Eve is a time for celebration. Unfortunately this is also the time of year when many people die on our highways. Every year there are predictions about traffic related deaths on New Years Eve and early New Years Day. Unfortunately these statistics have been very reliable and should be cause for serious consideration when deciding our travel plans. According to the NIAAA a recent analysis of national data shows more than four times as many people are likely to die in alcohol- related traffic crashes on New Year Eve than on other mid week winter evenings. This statistic is shocking and it is likely that one out of every three drivers encountered on the roads are driving over the legal limit. You don't have to drive after drinking. So by planning ahead, enjoying yourself doesn't have to put you or other innocent people in the line of fire. Here are a few things to ponder before you celebrate tonight: * Most states have per se DUI laws: just being over the legal limit is all the police need to charge you. They have no case requirement to document your bad driving behaviors. * Get tagged for DUI with minors in the vehicle and you'll receive an additional charge of child endangerment in many states. If you're the parent of those children, you'll find yourself in the bureaucratic bonus-round and you'll have to deal with the nice folks from Child Services whose job it is to protect your child's interests because you screwed up. * A DUI may restrict you from gaining employment in some professions. Going back to our previous example, if along with a DUI there were other infractions Child Endangerment for example - you may lose the ablity to work as a teacher, a teacher's aide, a daycare worker or as a coach. * A DUI with a fatality and you can pretty much kiss your ass goodbye: a jail term awaits and you'll have a lifetime to reflect on how one bleary-eyed decision affected the rest of your life. Is it fair to point out here that your life doesn't come with a reset button? * A regular DUI and you'll lose your license to drive. Potentially, you could lose your job - unless your personal finances set you apart from the rest of our debt ridden society, the interruption of work could cost you your house, your car and could bankrupt you. Oh, and the legal fees may run as high as $12,000 US. Enjoy an accident free holiday and ring in the New Year, alive!