Dr. Kathleen Delaney of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, says people are partying, and they think it's all right to drink and drive.

"It's better to call a cab than to pay for a hospital bill -- or a funeral," Delaney says in a statement.

Legal blood-alcohol limits for a driver vary among states, but people experience coordination impairment and reduced alertness with blood alcohol levels of 0.05 -- a 120-pound woman reaches 0.04 after consuming one 12-ounce beer, while a 160-pound man reaches 0.05 after two beers, Delaney explains.

"Common sense says you know that you're impaired even at those levels," Delaney says. "It's the holidays, so you're going to have a few drinks and enjoy yourself. But just don't drive a vehicle. Designate a driver."

For those not driving, Delaney recommends limiting total alcohol consumption, spacing alcoholic beverages at least an hour apart and having a non-alcoholic beverage between drinks to help counteract alcohol's dehydrating effects.