Parties and New Year's Eve have gone together for a long time. Increased awareness of intoxicated driving has led to more use of designated sober drivers on nights of heavy celebration. But, Kentucky State Police Trooper Brad Arterburn says drinking and driving enforcement remains a major part of police work, "We still arrest a lot of drunk people every year and our fatalities this year, well over a hundred of them involved alcohol, so we do still have a problem of drinking and driving.” Arterburn says people are starting to realize that, if they do drink, it's easier just to stay where they are or get a designated driver.
The trooper admits his first recommendation for New Year's Eve isn't party related, “Buckle up. No matter what you are doing, buckle your seatbelt.” According to Arterburn, statisticsshow that this year, over half of the fatalities on Kentucky roadways could have been avoided by seatbelts.
Arterburn says distracted and sleep-deprived driving are two other constant concerns on this final day of the year.??
