Because New Year's celebrations are known for champagne toasts, partygoers need to make sure they arrange for a sober ride home, as extra law enforcement officers across the state will be out to arrest drunk drivers during the holiday weekend.
The Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is administering federal traffic safety funds for the enforcement activity in an effort to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.  More than 108 agencies in 30 counties are receiving federal funding for the New Year's traffic enforcement activity, which will take place Dec. 28-31. 
"New Year's Eve is known as a party night, but I think people can celebrate and have fun without putting others at risk of a crash," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director.  "Extra officers will be out on the road to make sure that drunk drivers are arrested before they can cause serious harm."
During New Year's holiday weekend 2005/2006, 10 people died in Michigan traffic crashes, according to the Michigan Department of State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center.  Three, or 33 percent, of the nine fatal crashes involved alcohol.  Statewide, officers arrested 548 motorists for drunk driving on Dec. 31, 2005 and Jan. 1, 2006.
OHSP administers funds for drunk driving and safety belt enforcement throughout the year to agencies in 55 counties that cover 94 percent of Michigan's population.  Each county determines when to schedule patrols based on crash data, officer availability and unique local needs. 
Participating counties include: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Clinton, Delta, Dickinson, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Mason, Menominee, Midland, Montcalm, Oakland, Oceana, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Wayne. For a list of planned New Year's patrol dates, times and locations, please visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.
OHSP offers these tips for a safe New Year's celebration:
- Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
- If you're impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
- Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
- If a friend is about to drive impaired, take their keys and make other arrangements to get home safely.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.