Police: Don't Drink and Drive This New Year's
By: Alanna Quillen
Updated: December 31, 2012
MONROE -- As the country welcomes 2013, security and police will be on patrol, looking to keep the roads safe.
"Sleeping on somebody's couch is better than waking up in jail," said State Trooper Albert Paxton.
Paxton says one of the biggest problems during the new year's is people who don't plan ahead and end up driving drunk.
"we'll have people out, keeping roads safe, looking for drunk and impaired drivers," he said.
Police advice people to plan ahead. If you think you can't find a ride home, arrange for a cab, have someone you can call to pick you up, or designate a sober driver.
In addition to not drinking and driving, another reminder police want to give is buckling up every time you get in a vehicle..
"It is the law, but it's because I've seen what happens when you don't wear it." said Paxton. "I've gone to crashes where three or four people are in a car, and 3 had seatbelts on and one didn't. The car crashed and the one person, who didn't have a seatbelt on was killed, and the others didn't even have to go to a hospital."
According to statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), New Year's Day -- including the early morning hours -- is the most dangerous day of the year on U.S. roads.
And state police say last year in the state, there were more than 60 highway fatalities with 66 percent of them involving alcohol -- most of those 40-or-so drivers probably thought they were OK to drive.
"Getting arrested for a DWI is bad, but it's not the worst thing we see when someone decides to drink and drive," said Trooper Paxton.
The owner of Tonore's Wine Cellar in Monroe says he always gets the most business traffic on new year's eve for alcohol sales.
And while the revenue is great - he too, wants his customers to stay safe.
"Be careful, and maybe have a designated driver," he said.
Paxton says people will drink on new year's who may normally not drink.
"And said before, 'I'm not gonna have any drinks,' then one turns into four or five or more, then they drive because they don't have a plan," he said.
Local law enforcement agencies say there will be no DWI checkpoints set up in the ArkLaMiss. However -- Monroe, West Monroe, and State Police say they will have additional units out saturating the area for impaired drivers new year's eve and throughout the holiday.
"We don't want to stop people from going to bars and having a good time," said Paxton. "But you don't have a right to put other people's lives in jeopardy."
Another option is transportation for "Safety Cab," provided by Twin City Yellow Cab. Those needing a ride home can call the cab service at 322-3113. Free rides home will be offered from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. daily beginning Friday, December 14, 2012. Hours will be extended from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. on New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.
Safety Cab will take people from a party or bar in Ouachita Parish to their home anywhere within the parish limits. The service will not take people to another party or bar.
"Sleeping on somebody's couch is better than waking up in jail," said State Trooper Albert Paxton.
Paxton says one of the biggest problems during the new year's is people who don't plan ahead and end up driving drunk.
"we'll have people out, keeping roads safe, looking for drunk and impaired drivers," he said.
Police advice people to plan ahead. If you think you can't find a ride home, arrange for a cab, have someone you can call to pick you up, or designate a sober driver.
In addition to not drinking and driving, another reminder police want to give is buckling up every time you get in a vehicle..
"It is the law, but it's because I've seen what happens when you don't wear it." said Paxton. "I've gone to crashes where three or four people are in a car, and 3 had seatbelts on and one didn't. The car crashed and the one person, who didn't have a seatbelt on was killed, and the others didn't even have to go to a hospital."
According to statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), New Year's Day -- including the early morning hours -- is the most dangerous day of the year on U.S. roads.
And state police say last year in the state, there were more than 60 highway fatalities with 66 percent of them involving alcohol -- most of those 40-or-so drivers probably thought they were OK to drive.
"Getting arrested for a DWI is bad, but it's not the worst thing we see when someone decides to drink and drive," said Trooper Paxton.
The owner of Tonore's Wine Cellar in Monroe says he always gets the most business traffic on new year's eve for alcohol sales.
And while the revenue is great - he too, wants his customers to stay safe.
"Be careful, and maybe have a designated driver," he said.
Paxton says people will drink on new year's who may normally not drink.
"And said before, 'I'm not gonna have any drinks,' then one turns into four or five or more, then they drive because they don't have a plan," he said.
Local law enforcement agencies say there will be no DWI checkpoints set up in the ArkLaMiss. However -- Monroe, West Monroe, and State Police say they will have additional units out saturating the area for impaired drivers new year's eve and throughout the holiday.
"We don't want to stop people from going to bars and having a good time," said Paxton. "But you don't have a right to put other people's lives in jeopardy."
Another option is transportation for "Safety Cab," provided by Twin City Yellow Cab. Those needing a ride home can call the cab service at 322-3113. Free rides home will be offered from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. daily beginning Friday, December 14, 2012. Hours will be extended from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. on New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.
Safety Cab will take people from a party or bar in Ouachita Parish to their home anywhere within the parish limits. The service will not take people to another party or bar.
