For those deciding to imbibe during New Year’s Eve celebrations on Wednesday night, law enforcement agencies have a tip — don’t drink and drive.

“The message is don’t even chance it. Plan to have a safe ride home,” said Lt. Mike Greene of Benicia Police Department.

Benicians are no more immune to driving while intoxicated than those who live elsewhere, Greene said. And Benicia police will be out in force, watching for impaired drivers.

The city’s downtown shopping and dining area has become more popular with both visitors and residents, and some of them get behind the wheel after they’ve had too many drinks — but, “We make our fair share of DUI arrests,” Greene said.

There’s a reason for that: Intoxicated drivers not only can harm themselves and their passengers, they can put others in danger, too, he said.

He suggested partiers prepare ahead of time. “Plan a safe way home before you start to celebrate,” he said — because those who don’t have a plan in place often make bad decisions later.

Choose a designated driver who will remain sober throughout the evening, Greene said.

However, there are options for those who find they or their friends have become too tipsy to take the wheel — or that their designated driver drank from the wrong punch bowl.

Tow Bully, a Benicia company that offers emergency roadside service around the clock, is offering free in-town tows to Benicia residents on New Year’s Eve. Those interested in the service may call 707-751-1830.

The company is a member of the California Tow Truck Association, and uses certified drivers. Its website is www.towbully.com.

While the travel club AAA is known for both trip planning and roadside service, it offers a “Tipsy Tow” program on certain holidays and at special events, and New Year’s Eve is one of them.

AAA Northern California will provide a free, one-way, 10-mile tow home for drinking drivers and their vehicles, and those who make the call — 800-222-4357, or 800-AAA-HELP — don’t have to be AAA members. This service will be available from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

AAA also recommends motorists drive only when they are drug- and alcohol-free.

Taxi services operating in Benicia can be reached by calling 707-648-2222. Individual companies can be reached, too: California Taxicab, which operates in Benicia, is at 707-645-1000, and Vallejo Cab, which also operates locally, is at 707-563-4112.

Such websites as http://whenwillibesober.com and http://www.countcalculate.com/body/sober-after-alcohol-consumption can give estimates on how long it will take to become sober after drinking. Greene said the rule of thumb is .02 percent an hour, or a half an ounce of alcohol an hour.

But those are only estimates and guidelines, he cautioned.

“Alcohol affects people differently,” he said. Those who have been drinking heavily might not be sober for hours. Even those who may have had only one or two drinks could find their coordination impaired — and under those conditions, the motorist would be committing a crime even if his or her blood-alcohol level is below .08 percent.

“Buzzed driving is drunk driving,” Greene said.

Party hosts and companions should take the keys from those who have become impaired, and no one should ride in a car piloted by an impaired driver, both Greene and AAA recommended.

Likewise, California Highway Patrol Commander Josh Ehlers and Fran Clader, CHP director of communications, have asked people to celebrate responsibly.

This year, the agency will have a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. During last New Year’s MEP, 14 people died in collisions in California, and more than 450 were arrested statewide for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world, signifying the beginning of a new year,” said Joe Farrow, CHP commissioner. “Start the new year by doing the right thing — designate a sober driver or have a plan in place for a sober ride before the celebration starts.”