BUCYRUS, Ohio – Last year alcohol contributed to 12,548 crashes and 470 deaths on Ohio’s roads, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. This included 42 alcohol-related crashes in Crawford County. Across Ohio, more alcohol-related crashes happened in December than any other month of the year. In an effort to curb alcohol-related crashes this holiday season, AAA stores are holding events to encourage Ohioans to celebrate responsibly.

Who: Bucyrus AAA Store
What: Third annual “First a Friend Then a Host,” Holiday Mocktail Competition
When: Friday, Dec. 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 314 South Sandusky Avenue, Bucyrus

On the day of the competition, store associates will create non-alcoholic cocktails, or mocktails. Community members are invited to come in, sample these mocktails and vote on their favorite.

Planned mocktails include:
· Citrus Quencher
· Six Things Punch
· Key West Mojito Cooler

Recipes for these mocktails will be available for people to take and use at their holiday gatherings. Guests can also pick up the free 2013 “First a Friend, Then a Host Recipe Book,” which includes winning recipes from 2012 Holiday Mocktail Competitions.

This is one of 22 Holiday Mocktail Competitions that will take place at AAA stores throughout the state during December. These competitions are designed to generate conversation about drunk driving and encourage the community to incorporate non-alcoholic fun into their holiday celebrations.

In addition, AAA offers several tips to keep motorists and others safe this holiday season:
· Plan ahead – Choose a designated non-drinking driver before any holiday celebration.
· Don’t drink and drive – NEVER get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking.
· Be a real friend – Don’t let friends and family drive drunk.
· Host responsibly – Remind guests to stay safe and offer non-alcoholic beverages.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel-, insurance-, financial- and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited online at AAA.com.