The Chadron Police Department is reminding individuals of the following if they are attending or hosting New Year's Eve parties and celebrations:

• If you catch a buzz, catch a ride -- designate a sober driver before all parties. Those who drink and drive after holiday parties and festivities make this weekend one of the year's most deadly and dangerous due to alcohol-related crashes.
• Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before the party or celebration begins.
• Don't even think about getting behind the wheel of your vehicle if you are impaired.
• If you are impaired, get a sober friend or family member to come and get you.
• Or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• Remember - Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk. Take the keys and never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.
• If you are hosting a New Year's party, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver, always offer alcohol-free beverages during the event, and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.

The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired drivers. Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant and not the way you want to spend your holiday season.

Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver's license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc. Plus there is the added embarrassment, humiliation, and potential loss and consequence after informing family, friends, and employers.

So remember, this holiday season, if you catch a buzz, catch a ride. Designate a sober driver before all New Year's festivities. The Chadron Police Department will be participating in the “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” crackdown campaign sponsored by the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety during the New Year's weekend by stepping up enforcement and conducting as many vehicle stops as well as making as many contacts as possible at high risk hours. The Chadron Police Department believes the chance of being caught is too high to risk given the consequences and would ask the public to be sensible and be responsible.

Be responsible during the New Year's weekend. Please don't drink and drive.

Chief Tim Lordino