It is that time of year when holiday parties pile up one after the other over the course of a few days – and many of them are held after dark and feature alcoholic beverages.

Everyone wants to get to and from all these gatherings safely. No one wants to be added to the grim table of statistics compiled by the Iowa Department of Transportation which records all of the deaths resulting from traffic accidents. As of last Friday, 364 people were killed in traffic crashes in Iowa during 2023, according to the department’s statistics.

That is an increase of 9.64 percent from last year.

Fortunately, staying out of that table of statistics is actually fairly easy. To do so, follow all the traffic safety rules and don’t drink and drive. If you do choose to drink, pick someone to be a designated driver who will abstain from alcohol or take a cab.

Losing a driver’s license, spending time in jail or paying a large fine are some of the reasons to avoid driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Much more important reasons are the safety of yourself, others in your vehicle and those in other vehicles. No drink or pill or drug is worth risking death or injury.

So please, be smart and careful out there. Enjoy yourselves. Designate a driver — or become a designated driver — and celebrate safely throughout this holiday season.