Law enforcement raise awareness on impaired driving on New Year’s Day

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- As folks prepare for the New Year, Law enforcement is making sure the roadways are safe from impaired driving.  

“Many people across the nation lose their lives every year in the state of Georgia, it certainly is a terrible event every year, with hundreds, if not thousands of people down on our roadways from being hit by impaired drivers causing fatalities or serious injury,” said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson

 According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, more than 13-thousand people died in DUI crashes in 20-21. 

 Sheriff Wilson considers New Year’s Eve a high time for impaired driving. 

 “We will have more DUI arrests from 10, 11pm and on to 3,4am on New Year’s Day, because people are trying to return back home from those parties,” said Sheriff Wilson. 

 The CDC found Alcohol is the most common drug used in the case of impaired driving. 

 Sheriff Wilson says it’s important to be responsible.  

“We like to stress that people should take precautions be safe and have that designated driver in their car or in their friend group there, because there are more serious accidents related. to being under the influence around these major holidays of celebration,” said Sheriff Wilson. 

 Law enforcement suggests If you see a suspected impaired driver, alert police immediately.  

 And if you are going out for New Year’s, plan ahead for it is all about protecting your life. 

 “My message would be to make plans in advance of going out to dinner or club, and to have that dv. So you don’t have to think about that. Once you get to the partying stage,” Sheriff Wilson concluded.