HANCOCK COUNTY — Pandemic or not, bad weather or not, local law enforcement officials say they will be on the lookout for impaired drivers New Year’s Eve.
While officials expect most people will end up staying home, they know others will head out to ring in the new year.
“Yes, we will have extra patrols on New Year’s Eve for Operation Pull Over,” said Capt. Chuck McMichael, public information officer for the Greenfield Police Department.
While McMichael noted there are many things to consider when trying to stay safe this holiday season, sober driving should be at the top of the list tonight.
“If (you’re) going to a family member or friend’s house, have a plan to stay the night,” McMichael said. “If staying over isn’t possible, have a designated driver.”
McMichael noted there are also several car services in the area, including people in Greenfield who are ride-share drivers who will be available tonight.
“2020 has been rough on everyone,” McMichael said. “Don’t start 2021 in jail or the hospital.”
Capt. Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, said it also will have extra patrols out for the holiday, and for the whole month of January.
“Our patrols will be looking for impaired drivers as well as underage drinking parties,” Harris said. “We remind everyone to celebrate the holidays responsibly.”
The weather forecast might also complicate travel plans for New Year’s Eve. The National Weather Service is predicting the possibility of a mix of snow and freezing rain late tonight and early on New Year’s Day.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 30 people die every day in the United States from alcohol-related crashes. The holidays are especially dangerous: In 2016, for example, 3,067 people died in crashes in December alone. Alcohol was a factor in a quarter of those fatalities, according to the NHTSA.
Of nearly 10,000 people killed in crashes in 2014, nearly two-thirds were drivers whose blood-alcohol content was at least 0.08, the legal threshold for drunken driving, according to statistics from the American Automobile Association. The rest were passengers, people in other vehicles or pedestrians.
All of which adds up to this advice from police agencies: If you can’t celebrate responsibly, it’s best to stay home.
“The risk is too great,” McMichael said.
“Let us all wash off the bad vibes of 2020 and begin 2021 with the loved ones that matter the most,” McMichael said.
Officials from the Indiana State Police also plan to continue increased patrols on the roadways through Sunday, Jan. 2.
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Here’s how to celebrate safely tonight:
Designate or be a sober driver.
Call a ride-sharing service.
Celebrate at home or a place where you can stay until sober.
Never provide alcohol to minors.
If you’re hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of food.
If you know someone who is impaired and about to drive, take the keys and make alternate arrangements.
If you see a drunken driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
More information about drunken/impaired driving is available online: http://on.IN.gov/drivesober; and http://on.in.gov/drivehighDUI.
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