Cars Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk (2011)

Editor's Note: This "letter" orginally ran New Year's Eve 2010, but the message is still relevant. Please be safe and responsible as you ring in 2012!

Dear Driver,

We get along pretty well, right? I get you where you need to be, and you keep me fed with that yummy, expensive gasoline. OK, there was that time I stalled out on you when you had that big meeting, but I didn't say anything when you went another 1,000 miles before getting my oil changed, so we should call it even.

Anyway, I know we've got a party or two to hit tonight. While I'm usually excited to go out on the town, I get kind of nervous when I see you stumbling out of the house with red, glassy eyes and your keys in hand. "Getting smashed" may be fun for you humans on New Year's Eve, but vehicles don't feel the same way.

I am a big part of your life and very expensive to fix and replace. Did you know that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "alcohol-impaired driving crashes accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States" in 2008 (cited by the CDC)?  That's scary stuff.

Please keep us both safe by leaving me at home (I won't be mad). You can ask a friend a friend or relative to stay sober and drive you around tonight. Just ask; I'm sure someone will be more than happy to help you. At the very least, one of them might owe you a favor. You can also use a service like , Main Line Taxi and Limousine or Homestead Taxi LLC (610-584-5015).

You can also delay getting behind the wheel until after you've had some sleep and time to recover from your merriment. I'll be there for you in the morning.

I promise.

Love,

Your Car