This is not the kind of detour you want to take on the way home New Years Eve. Whether that's you or a loved one, this is not the way to start 2024.

You and your spouse are dressed to the nines and out for a good time celebrating the arrival of another new year here in McHenry. You slide behind the wheel and head out for that party at a club or a friend’s house. You make a conscious effort to not drink too much but …

Scenario #1: A little after 2 a.m., while driving home, you see red and blue lights flashing in your rear window. You have a sinking feeling in your gut as you pull over to the side of the road. You lower the window and pull out your wallet to retrieve your driver’s license. At the same time, you try to work out the calculations of exactly how many drinks you actually had at the party.

You’re hoping it’s something minor. Maybe you have a taillight out. Maybe you missed a stop sign. But no. Next thing you know, you’re out of the car and attempting to walk, heal-to-toe, on a straight line. You’re trying to touch your nose with your head back and your eyes closed. Then you’re trying on a new set of bracelets, the kind that are connected together.

This is a New Year’s celebration you will long remember and pay for a long time to come. Of course, there’s a lawyer somewhere who can use the business and, boy, will you give it to him or her.

You’ll make new friends at those DUI classes. You may test your spouse’s patience when they have to do all the driving. And what will the boss say when they find out you’re going to have new challenges getting to work on time?

Scenario #2: A little after 2 a.m., you’re heading home after a wonderful party though you realize you probably shouldn’t be driving. Then again, all you have to do is make it home a few miles. But then you lose control in a turn, go up a curb and into a tree.

Hopefully, you and your spouse are not seriously hurt. But what about the car? 

Maybe you can still drive the car and you back away from the tree and drive the rest of the way home. When you get home, you don’t even want to look at the damage; you’ll check it out in the morning.

At least you have insurance. Then again, you can count on your insurance rates to go up.

On the other hand, maybe the car won’t drive or, before you can backup, a squad car pulls up behind you and an officer is asking you, “How much have you had to drink.” The next thing you know … (refer to Scenario #1 above along with the repairs to your auto).

Scenario #3: Once again, it’s after 2 a.m. and you’re driving home. But you’ve had too much to drink and now you’re involved in a serious accident. Maybe you find paramedics working on you as they load you into the back of an ambulance. Worse yet, you’re watching as paramedics work on your spouse while they load your spouse into the ambulance.

You could be hurt, your spouse could be hurt, someone in another car could be hurt or any and all of the above. Someone can even be beyond help. And the legal morass has just begun.

Scenario #4: It’s after 2 a.m. as you and your spouse step into the back of the limousine you hired for the night. You’ve had a little too much to drink but that’s okay. You might have a slight headache in the morning but it will quickly pass. 

You’ve just started 2024 the right way.

Performance Unlimited wishes you all a safe and Happy New Year!