Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Mt. Juliet Police will be conducting an enforcement campaign on New Year’s celebrations, focusing on unsafe driving behavior through saturation patrols. Additional officers will take to the streets and cruise areas prone to alcohol-related crashes at 10:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and continue into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.
“Driving while impaired is a terrible decision for anyone to make,” said Chief James Hambrick. “The Mt. Juliet Police Department has the duty to ensure our community remains safe, and those who decide to take part in dangerous behavior, like driving while impaired, should know that plenty of officers are going to be out and ready to find them.”
So far in 2014, Mt. Juliet Police has investigated 17 alcohol-related crashes where 12 people were injured. Thankfully, no fatalities have been investigated by Mt. Juliet Police where alcohol was a factor.
Residents should also be aware that the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office is offering free, safe rides on New Year’s Eve. The program will be available until 3:00 a.m. New Year’s Day. To obtain a safe ride, you can call (615) 444-1412.
New Year’s Even Safety Tips:
If you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party, following a few simple rules could prevent a tragedy:
- Plan ahead by naming a “designated driver.” Make this your responsibility as the host.
- Contact a local cab company to provide rides for your guests.
- Serve non-alcoholic beverages as an option to your guests.
- Stop serving alcohol to your guests several hours before the party ends.
- Provide your guests with a place to stay overnight in your home.
If you are attending New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations:
- If you drink, don’t drive.
- Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before the party or celebration begins.
- If you are impaired, call a taxi, get a sober friend or family member to come pick you up, or stay where you are until you are sober.
- Take the keys from someone if you think he/she is too impaired to drive.
- While it’s fun to share where you are on social media sites, beware of doing so, as you are publicly alerting others that you are not at home.
- Do not leave drinks unattended. Finish it before you hit the restroom or dance floor.
- If you’re attending a large party where there are crowds, travel with a group or in pairs.
- Make sure everyone has a “buddy” who can confirm they got home safely at the end of the night.
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