Local Law Enforcement Agencies Plan to Increase Patrols For New Years

Columbia, S.C (WOLO) — While a lot of people are heading out to celebrate the start of the new year, law enforcement across the state will be out in full force in an effort to keep the roads safe. Local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to make sure people ring in the new year safely. “If you decide to drink and drive or you decide to get behind the wheel and make a poor decision to drive after consuming alcohol, you should expect to see law enforcement,” said Lance Corporal David Jones. Lance Corporal David Jones, from Highway Patrol, said there will be sobriety checkpoints and extra patrols on the roads tonight. To avoid a DUI he said people need to plan ahead and be responsible if you plan to drink. “Now it’s easier than ever to make sure you have a designated driver in place and that’s what we want to remind motorists,” said Lance Corporal Jones. “An average DUI is $10,000, an average tax is $20, it makes sense to do the right thing and get a taxi.” To prevent people from drinking and driving, companies like Checker Yellow Cab are available to help people get home safely. “What we do is the Alert Cabs Program sponsored by Budweiser and the way it works is from 11 pm to 3 am, the first $10 is covered by Budweiser and the purpose of it is to get you home safely,” said Checker Yellow Cab General Manager Peyton Greene. “DUI’s are expensive and they can be deadly.” Checker Yellow Cab is one of several cab companies offering specials for the new year. Greene said they will have cab stands at Tin Roof in the Vista, on the corner of Lady Street and Sumter Street, and by the Fountain in Five Points to take people home or to a hotel. Through this program, Greene said he hopes to help the community and keep drunk drivers off the road as they celebrate the new year.