Over the weekend of New Year’s, state police step up their DUI patrols

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indiana State Police report that although ridesharing services are widely available, the incidence of DUI-related occurrences has not dropped in the last few years.

“We usually do saturation patrols, and we’ll find an area that is seeing a high volume of impaired driving,” Indiana State Police Sergeant Scott Keegan said. “We will put all of our units in that area there specifically looking for impaired drivers.”

Testimonials from people whose lives have been turned upside down by an intoxicated driver are included in an advertisement campaign by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“I lost my sister Lisa Strueh she was killed in Hendricks County on April 6, 2016,” Denise Niblick said. “She was killed by an underage drunk and drugged driver,”

Niblick is the Indiana coordinator for victim services for MADD. According to Niblick, in 2021, drunk drivers murdered 232 Hoosiers. Every day, drunk drivers murder 37 people nationwide.

“Even though the resources are out there, people still think, ‘Oh, I’ve only had a couple, I’m still ok to drive, I don’t need to spend money to get an Uber of Lyft to take me somewhere,’” said Keegan.

If you want to go out on New Year’s Eve, Niblick advises making plans in advance. To avoid the temptation to get behind the wheel of a car and drive while intoxicated, have someone drop you off.

“Once you start drinking, once you’re in that social atmosphere, your judgment is literally impaired by alcohol, said Niblick. “So, making the decision to get home safely is a much harder decision if you haven’t planned ahead to have no vehicle.”

According to Niblick, consuming water, coffee, or a large meal won’t make you feel less intoxicated. She advises parents of adolescent drivers to discuss the risks of driving under the influence with their parents.