News

Law Enforcement will be out New Year's Eve

Scott Wagar

12/25/2012

With New Year’s Eve just six days away the Bottineau County Sheriff’s Department and the North Dakota Highway Patrol is reminding people to be careful when drinking and driving.

Steve Watson, sheriff of Bottineau County, stated that the sheriff’s department will be out in full force patrolling on New Year’s Eve.

However, Watson is asking people to plan ahead if they plan to drink and drive.

“A DUI can cost so much now in a variety of ways,” Watson said. “It can affect your insurance, injuries and some people can even get killed. We have taxi cabs in town and people have to look at the price of a cab to a DUI and I think you will find a cab is much cheaper and less of a hassle.

“And, people should have designated drivers if your going to go out and drink,” Watson added. “Just be careful, we don’t want injuries or someone getting killed. If an accident occurs while you are driving drunk it hurts for life.”

The North Dakota Highway Patrol has had their officers on extended hours since Nov. 1, and will be on the roads New Year’s Eve attempting to keep drunk drivers off the road.

According to Captain Gary Orluck, commander of the Northwest Region of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, there are steps individuals should take if they plan to go to New Year’s Eve parties.

“If you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party, following a few simple rules could prevent a tragedy. Plan ahead by naming a designated driver, make this your responsibility as the host and serve non-alcoholic beverages as an option to your guests,” Orluck said. “Stop serving alcohol to your guest several hours before the party ends and provide your guests with a place to stay overnight in your home.”

Orluck added that if you are attending a New Year’s Eve party, there are five things people can do to make it a safe holiday.

  •  If you drink, don’t drive.
  •  Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before the party or celebration begins.
  •  If you are impaired, get a sober friend or family member to come pick you up.
  •  Stay where you are until you are sober.
  •  Take the keys from someone if you think he or she is too impaired to drive.


Remember, New Year’s Eve is suppose to be a fun holiday, but make sure that it is a safe holiday, too, by following the suggestion of these law enforcement officers.