Police cracking down on New Year’s DUI

Law enforcement agencies are taking extra steps to keep roads safe during New Year’s Eve.

The Fort Mill Police Department will supplement its full traffic unit during the holiday to keep an eye out for potential drunken driving, said Maj. Bryan Zachary.

“We’re making every effort possible to minimize the opportunity for any type of serious accident to occur,” he said. “Safety is our primary concern.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving works to spread awareness of the effects of drunken driving and support law enforcement efforts, said Steven Burritt, program director. In MADD’s Tie One on for Safety campaign, participants don red ribbons as a reminder of the impact of drunken driving.

“We’re hoping everyone sees that symbol and realizes that this is a higher risk time,” he said. Drunken driving “changes people’s lives forever.”

Last year, 66 people in the nation were killed on New Year’s Day in drucken driving related incidents, Burritt said.

“They aren’t statistics to us; they are names, faces and stories,” he said. “We are ready for that phone to stop ringing.”

As Fort Mill grows, so does the risk of drunken driving, said Zachary. He said the department is being proactive.

The Tega Cay Police Department is taking the same approach by making sure patrols are more visible and on alert for any traffic concerns, said Maj. Dave Nelson.

“We take a proactive response to the concerns of DUIs during the holiday season,” he said.

The department also partners with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Network, a statewide initiative aimed at making roads safer, Nelson said. Local and state traffic officers comprise the 16 regional law enforcement networks that promote campaigns such as Sober or Slammer.

“We all work in concert for the same purpose – we’ve got to keep our roads safe,” he said.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, which patrols Indian Land, also works with the network to man checkpoints throughout the county during New Year’s Eve, Sheriff Barry Faile said. The office also increases patrols, especially in high risk areas.

“We encourage people to have a good time and celebrate the New Year coming in, we just ask them to be careful,” he said. “Don’t be on the roadways risking your lives and the other lives that will be out there on the roads as well.”

Law enforcement officials urge those celebrating New Year’s Eve away from home to ensure they have a designated driver or another way of getting home, such as using the ride sharing app Uber or calling a taxi.

“We’re doing our part and are asking the public to do their part to ensure everyone has a safe holiday,” Zachary said.

Nelson said residents should not presume they are fine no matter the amount they drink.

“Once you start drinking, you start your impairment,” he said. “Just don’t get behind the wheel.”

Anyone who sees anything indicative of driving under the influence should notify local law enforcement, Zachary said.

“That notification may save someone’s life in the process,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is that everyone celebrates the New Year and returns home safely.”

Burritt said MADD has a specific goal.

“We foresee a day when there won’t be drunk driving,” he said.

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 12:50 PM with the headline "Police cracking down on New Year’s DUI."