15 December 2005

Limit your drinks and leave the car at home for a safe festive season

Health experts are heightening their calls for festive season revellers not to get behind the wheel after drinking and to avoid binging.

Professor Bob Batey, Clinical Advisor for NSW Health's Centre for Drug and Alcohol, said drink driving contributed to about 18% of all fatal road crashes and we typically see more of this behaviour at this time of year.

"December is the time for us to kick up our heels and enjoy the festivities. We are not calling for an end to the traditional celebrations, but we do urge people to think ahead. Designate who will drive home and limit the amount of alcohol you plan to consume before you start," he said.

Professor Batey said that 30 percent of all fatal drink drive crashes occur between 9pm and 9am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights - traditional party nights.

Around 40% of males and 30% of females report engaging in risk drinking behaviours at any time of the year, but Professor Batey says this is likely to be much higher during the festive season.

"In addition to accidents on the road, people who drink irresponsibly and those who take drugs are also at far greater risk of drowning, violence and family breakdowns.

"These events can have devastating effects on individuals and families and are entirely preventable," he said.

The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that on average, men should not consume more than four standard drinks a day and women no more than two.

On any single occasion, men should consume no more than six drinks and women no more than four. At least one day a week should be alcohol free.

Professor Batey said there are a number of tips people should remember to stay safe when celebrating:

• Pace yourself and sip drinks, do not scull
• Don't mix drinks
• Drink alternatives to alcohol such as soft drinks, juices and water
• Drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink
• Avoid salty foods and nibbles such as peanuts and pretzels - they make you thirsty
• Eat a full meal when celebrating
• Avoid getting into "rounds" and "shouts"
• Don't top up people's drinks
• Designate a driver before having a drink
• Always carry enough money for a taxi or for a phone call.

If you are planning to host a party, Professor Batey also urges to keep the safety of your guests in mind:

• Provide food and non-alcoholic drinks and be sure to replenish these regularly
• Do not serve alcohol to young people less than 18 years of age
• Do not let anyone drive who is under the influence of alcohol
• Avoid providing more alcohol to someone who is already under the influence.

The following table shows a breakdown of risk drinking* by sex and Area Health Service, taken from the 2004 NSW Adult Health Survey (published by NSW Health). Survey respondents were aged 16 years and older.

For further information visit www.alcoholinfo.nsw.gov.au or contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 422 599.

*Risk drinking includes those people who reported one or more of the following behaviours: consuming alcohol every day; consuming on average more than four standard drinks per day for males or more than two for females; consuming more than six standard drinks on any one occasion or day for males, or more than four for females.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au