NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Local law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to crack down on drinking and driving on New Year's Eve.
The Nassau County Sheriff's Office is providing overtime for officers to work from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
"It'll be about half our force out looking for those drinking and driving. We see every year. About 1/3 of traffic fatalities involve alcohol, so unfortunately too many bad things happen when people drink too much and get behind the wheel of an automobile so we want to try to prevent that," said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper.
Leeper said people need to create a plan before they begin drinking, whether it's choosing a designated driver, calling a cab or a sober friend.
Another option is the AAA Tow-To-Go program.
Tow trucks can take up to two people home. If there are more than two, they will need to make other arrangements to get home safely.
You can't make an appointment to use the Tow-To-Go service. It's designed to be used as a last resort.
Leeper said one of the toughest parts of an officer's job is to notify loved ones after a drunk driving crash.
Many law enforcement agencies will also have DUI checkpoints in place to assist in the crackdown.