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WSBT photo (December 31, 2012) |
ELKHART – While we celebrate the coming of the new year, Elkhart County police will be cracking down on drunk drivers tonight.
The county’s Traffic Safety Partnership will be conducting DUI saturation patrols throughout the county to watch for drunk drivers and help increase safety as we ring in 2013.
“We would rather not arrest anybody over New Years, but we will if it keeps intoxicated motorists off the streets,” said Undersheriff Sean Holmes.
Holmes says crashes involving alcohol are 100% preventable. “People make poor choices throughout the year in choosing to drink and drive.”
He says during the holidays, there is an increase in the number of designated drivers but also an increase in the number of intoxicated drivers.
In 2011, there were 95 crashes involving alcohol, and of those, there were 39 injuries and 6 deaths.
In 2012, Elkhart County has recorded 103 alcohol-related crashes. In those, 40 people were hurt and 3 died.
Elkhart County police are reminding all of us to enjoy the New Year but do it responsibly. If you are going to drink when you go out, get a designated driver.
