MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The State Patrol is encouraging people with New Year’s plans to make plans now for a ride home. Troopers are stepping up enforcement over the holiday weekend, to keep drunk drivers off the roads.
New Year’s Eve is typically one of the busiest nights for troopers along with St. Patrick’s Day, the night before Thanksgiving and the summer holidays.
Lt. Eric Roeske with the Minnesota State Patrol said because of the warmer weather, they expect more people to be out on Saturday night, so he’s urging people to plan ahead.
“Use common sense. Make sure you arrange for a safe ride home or a place to stay if you’re out celebrating on New Year’s Eve, that way you can celebrate without the worry of being arrested or being involved in an alcohol related crash,” said Roeske.
Roads could also be slick this weekend, with snowfall expected on Saturday.
“It’s really all about pre-planning. Nobody intends on getting into a crash. Nobody plans to get arrested for drunk driving but the simple fact is once you start drinking it affects your judgment and that’s when you are more likely to use poor judgment and get behind the wheel,” said Roeske.
Metro Transit is offering free rides on buses and the light rail.
The rides run from 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve to the last rides of the night.
The last light rail train leaves at 2:15 a.m. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait for the first morning train at 4:05 a.m.
