The message is one we feel obliged to repeat this time each year. There are some people across our country, across our state and across our own area who will awaken today with a brand new year in the offing helped along with a drink or more. There will be so much promise and anticipation for 2025.

These folks will celebrate and share good times tonight with family and friends as midnight beckons the fleeting hands of 2024’s clock. They will sing –or slur — along to “Auld Lang Syne.” Even if they don’t know all of the words. Which, actually, most of us couldn’t recite while sober.

Sadly, some will be dead tomorrow. Some will end up in the hospital. Some will be in jail trying to figure out what lawyer to contact through a hangover cloud of alcohol and embarrassment. Not to mention checking their bank account to see if they have enough to cover bond, a lawyer and fine. Then there always is the shame factor. Those of in the newsroom over the years can attest to the stark reality that there are those out there busted for DUI who are more concerned about their names appearing in print or online than the fact they could’ve been killed — or killed others — while impaired.

That is the truth and that is a very distorted way of looking at things. And, yes, arrests are public record. If you get arrested tonight, tomorrow, whenever, your name will appear on our pages as will your subsequent court appearance. Consider that alone a deterrent before going out today without, perhaps, taking a pause about drinking and driving. You have seen the names on our pages. Do you think a single person out there has ever taken pride in seeing his or her name in print for an arrest? Thought so.

Today — especially tonight into the wee hours — lives will be lost or damaged through mangled wrecks on highways across our fine land. Calls will be made to loved ones. Loved ones will go to morgues, to hospitals or to a jail to help post bond. Innocent people who happened to be at the wrong spot on the wrong roadway when a drunk came barreling in their direction will be hurt or killed. Lives will be forever altered. How heartbreaking it is to realize how many young lives are lost or destroyed by drunk drivers? Each and everyone an innocent victim. And for what? The worst hangover is having one in a jail cell, hospital emergency room or morgue.

Drunk drivers will be scattered around our roadways tonight and into tomorrow like confetti flying around as the clock hits midnight. If you are and out about tonight, how confident can you really be that the car coming toward you hugging the center line isn’t operated by someone who has had too much to drink? Even if they think they didn’t. Which many drunks seem to believe. Unnerving, isn’t it? Also, should you see a drunk driver, use #677, or call call your local post to report it. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will appreciate the gesture.

To compound the dangerous situation, many will get an early start on their drinking with bowl season well under way. And, after all, who doesn’t like to have a beer — for many, plural as in beers — when watching games? At least it seems that way for many, doesn’t it? Think of all the people who will be watching the Rose Bowl into tomorrow evening, for instance, while drinking. And then trying to drive afterwards. Go ahead and shudder.

New Year’s Eve and Day rank with the deadliest alcohol-impaired driving days on our yearly calendar. That is indisputable. Check that out with the highway patrol, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. While you are at, ask a cop if there is anything safe about merely driving while buzzed.

Through mid-month, there had been nine 2024 fatalities on Columbiana County roadways.Four were OVI-related. Some OVI-related stats provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (statepatrol.ohio.gov):

— From 2021-2023, 36,919 crashes occurred on Ohio roadways that involved alcohol and/or drug use by at least one driver or pedestrian. These crashes have resulted in 2,171 deaths (56% of all motor vehicle deaths) and 22,152 injuries (8% of all motor vehicle injuries) during this time period.

— Motorists aged 21-39 were at-fault in 55% of OVI-related crashes in Ohio while underage individuals (15-20) were at-fault in another 6%. Male drivers were at-fault In 71% of OVI-related crashes.

–From 2021-2023, OSHP troopers issued 48,915 OVI citations, an average of more than 16,300 per year. Male drivers received nearly three of every four OVI citations (73%). Nearly one in four individuals (23%) cited for OVI were under the influence of marijuana, another drug, or both.

The NHTSA estimates that 32 Americans die every day due to drunk driving accidents. Perhaps the most scariest: An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest. Goodness! Think of how many close calls there has to be. Think of how the law of averages is lurking and ready to pounce.

The OSHP has been kept busy this year: 14,585 OVI enforcements; 56,333 seatbelt enforcements; 27,523 distracted violations; and, 2,739 drug violations. Don’t forget: they always have enough handcuffs to go around. And, yeah, it seems easy to dismiss all of these numbers as “just numbers.” That is until they directly impact you and your family. Then, you in turn, become a statistic. None of us want that to happen. But think about how much alcohol is consumed on days like New Year’s and Super Bowl Sunday.

Please take a moment to consider all that is involved with driving and drinking. Go to the state highway patrol website and scan the stats. Shouldn’t take longer than it does to suck down a beer or two. If all of this doesn’t deter you from overdoing then what in the world would? If you are in a bad way tonight, don’t think coffee, a cold splash of water on the face or one of those overpriced caffeine-infused drinks you get at the front counter of a corner store will sober you up quickly. And, no, popping a couple breath mints isn’t going to fool a cop who is about to pull you over.

C’mon, you are smarter than that. Get a designated driver actually committed to staying sober throughout the evening. Call a taxi. Have your favorite bartender(s) get a ride for you. If possible spend the night wherever you are going to be. Beats spending the night in jail or in the hospital. And it surely beats ending up in the morgue. Around here we’ve always callled that a grave consequence. Granted, it is unfathomable to think that anyone ever sets out to deliberately drink enough during a given time period to become legally drunk. Some think it will never happen to them. Often it is a good person making a single bad, sometimes life-altering decision. None of us are above that reality.

But, please, play it smart tonight. If so, simply awakening safely tomorrow morning will be reason enough to celebrate the beginning of a fresh new year. Keep your name out of our arrests reports. And certainly out of our obituaries listings. It is dreadful to even ponder. But certainly do so. Cars keys and empty alcohol glasses, bottles and cans do not go together. Have a safe, sober and Happy New Year’s eve and day. Get your 2025 off to a great start. And, for sure, go Buckeyes versus Oregon!