New Year’s Eve safety tips from local police

ST JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – The St. Joseph County Traffic Safety Partnership – DUI Task force looks to ring in 2019 by preventing a fatal crash from happening this New Year's Eve holiday weekend.

Local police are hoping for a 7th year of zero fatalities and zero serious injuries.

Traffic safety grants from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will have officers working overtime to watch out for impaired drivers.

The Mishawaka Police Department says taking preventive measures is the key to ring in the New Year safely.

The department provided these safety tips to celebrate the beginning of 2019.

If you plan on drinking, police ask that you designate a driver and be alert to others around you as well as the environment surrounding you.

If you don’t need to be behind the wheel, stay off the roads. Police say you can avoid a possible dangerous crash, as more people will be driving under the influence on New Year’s Eve.

Officials even recommend using public transportation, calling a cab or Uber, and even staying at a friend’s place.

Officers say to stick together in groups if you’re going out to parities or night clubs to look out for friends and family.

Police ask that you monitor your alcohol intake and be aware of how much others have consumed.

Last year, the St. Joseph County Traffic Safety Partnership reported 10 DUI arrests between 6 p.m on December 29th and 6 a.m. on January second.

Out of 70 total crashes reported, 65 were property damage crashes and 5 were injury crashes, but police say none of the crashes were alcohol related.

Officers from Lakeville, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Roseland, South Bend, St. Joseph County and Walkerton Police Departments make up the partnership.