Law enforcement increases patrols ahead of second-deadliest day of year

In just hours, the celebrations will begin to ring in the New Year….and law enforcement is already out in force looking for drunk drivers.

New Year’s Eve is the second deadliest day for drivers and law enforcement are stepping up patrols to keep the roads safe.

Consider this: one person dies due to drunk driving every half hour…and that’s not even on New Year’s. Add in those end-of-the-year celebrations and the roads become downright dangerous.

Last year during the counting period in Missouri, there were 380 traffic crashes that injured 147 people. It was an atypical holiday period because no one died.

But 12 people were killed over the holiday just the year before.

Which is why the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia Police Department are increasing patrols and holding a sobriety checkpoint.

There are options to ensure a safe ride home. Plan ahead and call a taxi or use the website bemydd.com to hire a driver. Students can download the app Sobrio which helps find a sober driver near campus.

The counting period for New Year’s begins tomorrow night and ends Sunday, January 4.