Law enforcers have
sobering message

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Law enforcers have a sobering message for everyone heading out on this, the biggest party night of the year.

Plan on a heavy police presence.

Police agencies all over Erie County scheduled 100 extra DWI patrols between now and New Year's Day.

Drunk driving arrests are already up four percent this year. They're on pace to make more than 3,000 arrests.

Chris Collins (R-Erie County Executive) said, "Despite the increase in enforcement activity, Erie County has experienced 16 fatal, and 42 serious DWI crashes."

New York State Police Captain Steven Nigrelli said, "That's 16 lives, hopes, dreams, family members. And someone behind me, one of these police officers behind me, had to go to a house and notify a family member that their loved one wasn't making it home, all because of alcohol.))

The extra patrols will be paid for with fines from previous DWI offenses.

Kathy Hochul (D-Erie County Clerk) said, "You don't want to spend the $9500 estimated cost of dealing with attorneys, insurance premiums, and assorted costs to get your license back. It's just not worth it."

If you're out drinking, and don't have a designated driver, a new company will drive for you. Designated Drivers of Buffalo will send two drivers to your location, and drive you home in your own car. Mike Mule started the business two months ago. His 17 drivers take people home all over western New York.

Mule said, "I was in the restaurant and bar industry for about 15 years, and what I found was that a lot of people were deciding to drive their car home because of the fact that they needed it in the morning."

Designated Drivers of Buffalo will cover holiday parties and weddings. They also have gift certificates.

Parole officers will be stepping up visits to past offenders over the holidays too.