Starting the New Year off− in the wrong direction

New Years is just around the corner and almost everybody is excited about a new, fresh start to their lives. Many use New Years as an excuse to start the year improving themselves through resolutions. Before the New Year begins though, we choose to get in all our last whims or wishes that aren’t necessarily good for us. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that− unless this last-minute pursuit of happiness can kill someone.

For people of age, and unfortunately people underage, drinking happens. Knowing that alcohol is dangerous for their bodies, many tend to use it as the last unhealthy way to enjoy themselves before starting a saintly new year. More likely than not, many will abuse alcohol in thinking that this is their “last” time, which potentially can result in endangering themselves or someone else.

In order to minimize car accidents caused by drivers under the influence, CTA will be offering penny rides from late New Year’s Eve to early morning New Year’s Day. There will also be a Tipsy Tow service, where when you call 800-AAA-HELP, AAA service will give you a free ride.

All these initiatives are in place due to the high rate of deaths caused from being under the influence. It’s especially terrifying, since car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and one out of three of those is alcohol-related.

Thinking that New Years is the LAST day in their lives to be as bad as they want, people try to do too much in the last day, usually drink more. Media and Hallmarking is largely to blame for this “last” day psychology. While sometimes that feeling is unavoidable, we don’t realize how much we’re expecting from this one day, which is also largely why some people find it useless to make resolutions in the first place. Relying on changing overnight is, frankly, a bit unpractical and unrealistic. If, throughout the year, you think of everyday as a new, fresh start, you’ll be able to really improve on your short-term and long-term goals, even if you do make a mistake in the process or forget your goal one day. If you fit in a guilty pleasure more responsibly the whole year, you’ll most likely be able to do the same on New Year’s Eve.

Don’t bank on the New Year’s as the Armageddon of All-Wishes-Unhealthy, because a good chance is that you might end up hurting yourself or hurting someone else, breaking any type of resolution you formulated. While it may be a bit burdensome on New Year’s, when you want to forget everything and enjoy yourself, you have to be responsible or consequences can go to another person’s family starting their year with painful tears. Please, if not for your own sake, for others, act responsibly by following these tips.

Happy New Year to All, and May This New Year bring in Happiness For All!