Police warn against drunk driving on New Year’s Eve weekend

By: Lauren Linder/KDKA-TV

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) —The brand new 12 months is sort of right here, and New Yr’s Eve celebrations are again to regular.

However police need to be sure you keep in mind to remain secure on the roads. 

Friday evening preparations have been underway at Spirit in Lawrenceville, because the corridor and bar get able to ring within the new 12 months for the primary time since 2019.

Inventive director Aaron Clark stated Spirit can have a dance ground, stay music from native bands and a Detroit pop dance group from the 80s and 90s.

“It is a massive redo after final 12 months. We ended up suspending and transferring our New Yr’s present to February as a result of everybody was getting COVID,” Clark stated. “We did not even know we have been going to outlive the pandemic, not to mention come out like the opposite finish and do one thing like this.”

Nonetheless, on an evening like New Yr’s Eve, it is vital to remind folks of their limits. Ross Township Police Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp stated the division can have elevated patrols out Saturday evening.

“We do have some issues with folks driving whereas they’re below the affect of medicine or alcohol,” Kohlhepp stated. “We might be on the market monitoring and searching for intoxicated drivers and attempting to take away them from the roadway, so we are able to preserve the roads secure for everybody who’s simply out having fun with the vacations.”

He’d relatively folks make good selections earlier than getting within the driver’s seat, whether or not that is taking an Uber, Lyft, or taxi or having an old school designated driver.

“For those who’re out with anyone and also you see they’ve had an excessive amount of to drink or every other intoxicating substance, please step in, and be sure you do not put them behind the wheel of a automobile,” Kohlhepp stated.

Again at Spirit, set-up additionally contains precautions and ensuring safety takes no matter steps crucial so everybody can benefit from the evening.

“We at all times have very clear, seen water stations arrange on the bars, and across the room,” Clark stated. “In fact, we’ll at all times name a automobile for somebody if it involves that. We’re not going to let anybody go if they can not get themselves house safely.”

Pittsburgh police may also be patrolling the streets all through the town and at First Evening.

AAA officers additionally need to remind you to not drive hungover both, which may be simply as harmful as driving drunk.