It is that time of year when holiday parties pile up one after the other over the course of a couple of weeks — and many of them are held after dark and feature alcoholic beverages.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are an average of 45 fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers per day during the Christmas season. That jumps to 54 per day over the New Year’s holiday.

Add nasty weather to the mix, and common sense would indicate drivers should be even more careful, not throwing their normal caution aside as they indulge during a festive gathering.

Using common sense and basic safety precautions will enable everyone to get to and from holiday gatherings safe and sound.

• Observe speed limits and always drive with proper regard to weather and road conditions.

• Wear seat belts and make sure children you are transporting wear theirs. Seat belts save lives and buckling up is the law.

• Pay close attention to what is going on around you. With youngsters not in school, the chance that a child will dash into the path of a vehicle is real. Be ready to avert tragedy.

• Avoid driving while fatigued.

• Remember that alcohol and driving never mix. If you imbibe, make sure that the driving is done by someone who stays unimpaired.

• Stay off your cellphones while driving and never even consider texting.

Losing a driver’s license, spending time in jail or paying a large fine are some of the reasons to avoid driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Much more important reasons are the safety of yourself, others in your vehicle and those in other vehicles. No drink or pill or drug is worth risking death or injury.

So please, be smart and careful out there. Enjoy yourselves. Designate a driver — or become a designated driver — and celebrate this upcoming New Year’s Eve.