Roseville police say they will have extra patrol vehicles on the streets on New Year's Eve in an effort to catch drunken drivers.
"Resolve not to start the new year in jail, or worse, the hospital emergency room," police spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther said in a news release. "If your New Year's plans include alcohol, now is the time to plan your safe-and-sober ride home."
Last year, the New Year's Eve patrol officers arrested four people for driving under the influence, Gunther said.
The department urges partygoers to designate a sober driver and to hand that person the car keys before any drinking begins.
"And if you're the designated driver, you shouldn't drink alcohol at all," Gunther said.
She said party hosts should offer a variety of nonalcoholic beverages for the designated driver and other nondrinkers.
She also advised people to call a taxi or a sober friend or family member for a safe ride home.
Other tips include:
- Calling the Designated Drivers Association of Sacramento at (916) 335-5555. Volunteers will be available on New Year's Eve to give rides home to a drinking driver.
- Refusing to let friends drive drunk. Take their car keys and help arrange a safe ride home for them.
- Checking whether local towing companies are offering free or discounted rides home on New Year's Eve.
- Calling 911 to report drunken drivers.
