New Year’s Eve is a big night for most everyone, which means crowds will be swarming toward all the night clubs and private parties. But area police are reminding people to ring in the New Year safely with the following reminders:

• Designate a Driver: If you are going to be driving New Year’s Eve, don’t drink and drive. If you have a friend who does not prefer to drink, make sure they take the wheel. The Designated Driver needs to be cautious and it is important to be safe.
• Be Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. Stay away from those who are out of control and might cause harm. Taking preventive measures is key to making the right choice. If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It’s important to keep an eye out for each other.
• Don’t Drive: If you don’t have to get behind the wheel, avoid it. More people will be driving under the influence on this particular night, so avoid a potentially dangerous crash by staying off the road. Otherwise, be alert and drive defensively. Most importantly, wear your seatbelt. Also, using public transportation is a wise option. If taking a cab, or Uber is too expensive, crashing at a friend’s place nearby is a convenient solution.
• Stick Together: This way we can look out for our friends and family. Going out to parties and nightclubs means a fast-paced, crazy night; so be sure to travel in groups. Having a safety net around you in this environment, especially for women, is imperative.
• Monitor your Alcohol Intake: A majority of people will be drinking on New Year’s Eve, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to pay attention to how much you and others are consuming. Drinking too much alcohol can have lethal affects. Be responsible.

The St. Joseph County Traffic Safety Partnership, thanks to a traffic safety grant received from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will have officers working overtime to look for impaired and dangerous drivers.  The Partnership is made up of officers from Lakeville, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Roseland, South Bend, St. Joseph County and Walkerton Police Departments.

St. Joseph County had a successful, New Year’s Eve, ringing in 2018 with no fatalities. The St. Joseph County Traffic Safety Partnership reported 10 arrested for D.U.I. between 6 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2017 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2018.

There were 70 total crashes reported, 65 were property damage crashes, 5 injury crashes and there were 0 fatalities and 0 alcohol related crashes.

This New Year’s Eve holiday weekend will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28 and end at 6 a.m. on  Wednesday, Jan. 3.