Drink responsibly- Don’t Be That Guy Published Dec. 16, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Richard Caudill 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The holiday season is here, and with the holiday season comes the gathering of friends and family. These gatherings will most likely include fun, food and for some, the consumption of alcohol. Consuming alcohol is fine, just Don't Be That Guy and get behind the steering wheel of a vehicle. In 2007 nearly 13,000 people died in an alcohol related traffic accident. That's one person every 40 minutes. That makes it one less loved one who will make it home for the holidays, one less father or mother that will get to see their child grow up, one less student who will graduate college or high school. Military personnel receive DUI briefs from supervisors and commanders and yet chances are someone will still go out and get behind the wheel of what might as well be a 2,000 pound missile and hurtle down the highway at 60 miles per hour. This occurs without knowing who may be the unlucky recipient of that thoughtless and irresponsible action. Being a responsible parent, friend, child, wingman this holiday season needs to be a conscious choice. If you have a party or social gathering, make it your responsibility to take vehicle keys. Make it your responsibility to ensure that everyone gets home safely. For those who are attending parties make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely, do not rely on someone else-- it's your life, and possibly the lives of others, you are playing with. In the end in addition to the possible loss of life, limb, and/or property, there are consequences to be faced from both the State of Alaska and the Uniformed Code of Military Justice if you chose to drink and drive. So be smart, have a plan in place to get home safely, and most important of all, Don't Be That Guy who chooses to get behind the wheel. It's not just your life that depends on it.