There are few holidays where alcohol plays as big a role as New Year’s Eve. And, as another year turns, we thought it would be appropriate to open up Sound Off to a topic that is in danger of becoming as much a part of the holiday as Dick Clark and Auld Lang Syne: drunk driving.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 190 Americans were killed in alcohol-related traffic fatalities over New Year’s weekend in 1999. Are you surprised by this statistic?

Here are some other questions to consider before posting your opinion on this topic.

• In some cities, public transportation is provided free on New Year’s Eve to help curb drunk driving. Are any special plans being made in your community to combat drunk driving on New Year’s Eve?



• In October, President Clinton signed a tougher drunk driving standard into law. The law lowered the “driving while intoxicated” limit from .10% BAC [Blood Alcohol Content] to .08% BAC. Do you think this is too strict, not strict enough, or just about right?



• How do you feel about the punishments that accompany being charged with drunk driving? Are they too strict? Not strict enough?



• Some people feel drunk driving standards unfairly punish social drinkers. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?



• Have you ever played the role of designated driver? Have you ever been a part of a group where you were escorted somewhere by a designated driver?



• How do you feel about organizations like MADD or SADD? Do you belong to any?



• Finally, how do you rate the problem of drunk driving in America? Is it a serious problem?