A tale of a McHenry New Year’s Eve with police and ambulances that could be avoided

Situations, such as this, are easily avoided for

McHenry revelers New Year's Eve. Don't drive.

Hire a cab, an Uber or a limo and focus on

the celebration without worries.

It’s 1 a.m. and the neighbors, those who went out to parties on New Year’s Eve, are safely arriving at their McHenry homes in taxis, Ubers and limos. But that’s not how it’s worked out for you.

Over your wife’s objections, you insisted you could drive yourself. Now, red lights are flashing and you’re anxiously trying to see if your wife is okay after you lost control and ran into a tree. But you’re having trouble looking after your wife because an officer is insisting that you take some tests while an ambulance is anticipated.

The tests aren’t usually difficult. In fact, any other day, you would probably call them simple and easy.

There’s this bit about doing the alphabet. Then there’s the part where you touch your nose. Finally, you have to walk a simple line. But it’s not so simple now with the influence of all the drinks you were enjoying just a short time ago.

As the ambulance arrives and they strap your wife into a stretcher, the officer snaps handcuffs onto your wrists. The paramedics slide you wife’s stretcher into the back of the ambulance as the officer slides you into the backseat of the SUV with the word “POLICE” printed on the sides.

This is distinctly not how you expected the night to go. In fact, as you and your wife dressed up for the festivities, her in a shimmering silver dress and you in a black tux, the emotion you felt about the evening was anticipation, the way a young boy looks forward to going to a theme park.

It didn’t work out that way. But you’re still lucky. 

Your wife will survive the accident and, though you’ll spend several-thousand dollars on lawyer fees, court costs, DUI classes and the deductible on your insurance, the higher insurance costs is a penalty delayed until you renew your insurance policy.

The inconvenience until you get your license back will pass. And, next year, you’ll have another shot at New Year’s Eve without the drama, pain and shame of another DUI.

This year is a good year to start calling a taxi or Uber. Or, you might just have a limo come to the house and pick you and the wife up in style. You can have a wonderful time without the slightest worry about how you’ll get home to your McHenry home when the party is over.

Of course, maybe you can drive yourself without trouble. But, on the other hand, even if you don’t crash into a tree, there are extra police on McHenry roads keeping an eye out for those few who decided to drive themselves to the parties.

Have a Very Happy and Safe New Year!