INDIANAPOLIS, IN -If you're hosting or attending a holiday party, Indiana State Police encourage you to be responsible. Last year during the Christmas and New Year holidays, 26 people were killed on Indiana roadways. Six of those crashes were alcohol or drug related.
Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), Project S.T.E.P. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Project) and D.U.I.E.P. (Driving Under Influence Enforcement Project). These federally funded programs allow extra troopers to patrol area roadways throughout the holidays.
Troopers will be specifically looking for aggressive drivers, intoxicated drivers and those drivers and passengers not buckling up. The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will also have extra motor carrier inspectors and troopers on area roadways enforcing commercial motor vehicle violations.
"If you plan to celebrate the holidays by consuming alcohol, be responsible and get a designated driver," said Lieutenant Dennis Marshall, Commander of the Evansville District.
The Indiana State Police encourage the following safety tips for those who may be hosting a party:
- Be a responsible host. Serve food and always have non-alcoholic beverages available.
- Don't allow guests to mix their own drinks.
- Ask guests to appoint a designated driver before they start consuming alcohol.
- Stop serving alcohol 90 minutes before the party ends. Remember, only time sobers someone who has been drinking.
If you're traveling during the holidays, please follow these safety tips:
- Don't drink and drive.
- Never ride in a vehicle with someone who has been drinking - call a cab or ask a friend to drive you home.
- If you observe a drunk driver, notify police immediately with the vehicle description and their route of travel. Don't attempt to pass a drunk driver.
- Make sure everyone is buckled up.
Source: Indiana State Police
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