Don't let Christmas be a reminder of the time you got caught drink driving, lost your job or you ended up in hospital.

That's the message from SA police on the first day of December and the start of the silly season.

With many of us heading out to end of year celebrations in the coming month, there is an increased risk that some will be tempted to get behind the wheel after a few too many.

Police are asking us to keep an eye on our friends and workmates and offer them a ride if we're a designated driver or get a friend or relative to come pick them up instead of letting them drink drive home.

We are also being told not to consider walking home either, with pedestrians accounting for 16 deaths on SA roads this year.