Law enforcement offers New Year’s Eve safety tips

By Leah Rainwater

With New Year’s Eve celebrations approaching, local law enforcement has some tips to keep everyone safe.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will have additional officers out on the roads to ensure driver safety.

“It’s always important to make sure that you obey all traffic laws,” said Sgt. Shane Hux. “Make sure you buckle up and follow the hands-free law.”

Hux also said to plan if your holiday plans include alcohol or recreational marijuana.

Having a designated driver or utilizing Uber, Lyft, rideshare or cab services can ensure all drivers are safe on the roads.

Sheriff Bill Puett with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office also said, those driving on New Year’s Eve, need to do so defensively.

“Obviously there’s going to be lots of stuff going on,” said Puett. “People are going to be excited and celebrating and everything else. So it goes back to some of the things we’ve always said. Making sure that we reduce distracted driving. You know…the same issue with texting and driving, the inattention, you know, all those things that you’re going to have to drive defensively in case someone choses not to be smart.”

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s New Year’s Eve holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 and will run until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1.