Police will watch for drunken driving

Columbia County sheriff's deputies plan to be out looking for drunk drivers this evening and tomorrow as people celebrate New Year's Eve.

"Motorists can expect to see more deputies working traffic and alcohol enforcement throughout the holiday season," Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said.

Concentrated patrols and sobriety checkpoints are two methods Morris said the sheriff's office will be using to curb drinking and driving.

"Deputies will be out looking for telltale sings of drunken driving such as speeding, excessive brake use, weaving, to name a few," he said.

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The Georgia State Patrol predicts there will be 2,843 wrecks, 704 injuries and 16 traffic fatalities starting at 6 p.m. tonight and continuing through midnight Sunday. Though there are no predictions on the number of DUI arrests during the New Year's holiday, Morris said he expects to see an increase.

"This is the holiday season. People who may not normally drink might decide at a party or something to have one," he said. "When they mix that with gasoline it's dangerous."

The extra patrols are not to keep people from having a good time, Morris said.

"Our point is not to inhibit people from having fun," he said. "If you want to drink, that's fine. Just don't drive.

"There's nothing complicated about staying safe."