The authorities yesterday launched the customary anti-drink driving campaign over the Christmas Season.

There are no ifs and buts here whatsoever. No one should drive any vehicle if they are over the legal limit this Christmas and New Year. We would go one further and say that anyone who is driving over the holidays should simply abstain.

It has been scientifically proven that people who are just one unit over the limit see their judgment, reflexes and senses diminished substantially. The results can be catastrophic. Malta of today is not Malta of 20 or 30 years ago. Our roads are clogged with vehicles and many of them are high performance. Adding alcohol into the mix is a recipe for disaster. As the authorities have rightly pointed out, when one decides to drive while under the influence, they are not only putting their own lives in danger, but also the lives of those who are with them in the car, as well as other motorists.

The dangers are endless. People can fall asleep at the wheel, they may swerve all over the place and be a general hazard to themselves and those around them.

One fatality on our roads is one fatality too many. Too many lives are already lost on our roads at the best of times, but it always seems to be such a tragic and pointless loss whenever alcohol is involved. And it all boils down to choice.

This festive season, if people use their own private transport, they should agree on a designated driver – one person who will abstain from alcohol and then ferry everyone else home... the favour can always be repaid next year.

There are also a multitude of taxis that take bookings given the new syndicates that work together. There is also the option of booking shared transport, such as minivans and there are also the night bus services.

As always, this is where Malta struggles. Because we do not have many alternative transport arrangements, people’s options are limited. If people do intend on staying sober, but eventually have one too many, they should just order a taxi. If the worst comes to the worst, just sleep it off in the car and go home in the morning. A sore head and a sore back are a little price to pay if it saves your, or someone else’s life.  Don’t drink and drive, you know it makes perfect sense.