If you have too much to drink during your New Year's revels, don't drive.

Call Safe Ride Home at 1-800-752-5400.

From 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 to 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, residents of Tinley Park, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Mokena and New Lenox can call Carey Limousine Chicago Inc. at 1-800-752-5400 for a free ride home, only from establishments within the participating towns.

The rides are completely free and only take people to their homes, not to other establishments. More than 100 people took part in the program last year.

The program is funded by each of the five villages, along with a $1,500 grant from the Michael P. Gordon Memorial Foundation. The foundation was named in honor of a Chicago police officer who was killed in 2004 when a drunken driver ran a red light and smashed into Gordon's squad car.

The number again is 1-800-752-5400. Put it in your cell phone or write it down and bring it with you to your New Year's Eve parties. It could save a life.

Area police departments have increased late-night enforcement of impaired driving. If you aren't in one of the participating towns to get the Safe Ride Program, call a cab or check the Metra schedule:

• Metra Electric District
• Rock Island District
• SouthWest Service

Although in the region, Frankfort isn't part of the Safe Ride Program. The village did participate in it in the past, but the inititative didn't get much use from residents, which was one of the reasons why it was stopped. Another reason, village officials said at a recent board meeting, was because they felt the program sent an inappropriate message to residents, encouraging them to drink to excess during New Year's Eve festivities. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? DOES THE SAFE RIDE PROGRAM GIVE PEOPLE AN EXCUSE TO GET DRUNK? Take our poll and leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.