The season for giving gifts is not yet over. Tonight, you can still give your friends and family the best gift of all: avoiding a tragedy. The temptations of combining holiday revelry and driving is a big risk during this season. The good news is that good judgment can easily overcome the risk &045; if we, in fact, choose to use good judgment.

On New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of opportunities to drink and drive. From family gatherings to reunions with old friends, the stage is set for intoxicated driving. Slippery roads only add to the danger. It’s a time to be particularly cautious about drinking too much, and a time to be certain that arrangements for alternate transportation are available in the event that one drink leads to another and another. During 2001, the alcohol-related death toll in Minnesota was 226. The number of lives merely damaged, as opposed to ended, is much higher. A special resolution to avoid becoming one of those statistics is in order this week.

A moment or two of forgetfulness now, more than at any time of the year, could mean a holiday season ending terribly. Use caution while celebrating.

Tribune editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper’s management and editorial staff.