HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – With the New Year’s Eve celebrations approaching, many people know there is an increased risk of impaired drivers on the roadways.
“This is usual for most holiday seasons, but especially around Christmas and New Year’s,” said Christian County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Chris Miller.
Miller explains that every year during this time the main focus of the patrol division is to work to ensure that the roadways in Christian County are as safe as possible. “This includes seeking out drivers who may be under the influence while operating their vehicle and getting them off the roadways,” Miller said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, December drunk driving deaths are the highest in nearly 15 years. From 2017- 2021, NHTSA recorded more than 4,500 deaths in drunk driving traffic crashes during th e month of December.
NHTSA has several tips for getting home safely during the holiday season.
- Plan for a sober ride home and if you need to, designate someone to hold you accountable
- If you chose to drink, don’t drive impaired. Call a sober friend, rideshare or taxi, or take public transportation to get home safely
- If you’re hosting and see someone who is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely- it will be the greatest gift you ever give them
This weekend, Miller and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office assures their guys will be out and watching.
Read about the New Year’s celebrations happening in Hopkinsville here.