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FHP: Come up with a plan before you head out to celebrate NYE

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Published  December 31, 2024 4:24pm EST
Sarasota
FOX 13 News

NYE safety on Bay Area roads

FOX 13's Kim Kuizon reports on Sarasota County officials urging residents to set up transportation plans ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations to reduce the number of drunk driving incidents in the county.

The Brief

    • The pineapple is dropping in Sarasota at midnight to ring in the new year.
    • The Florida Highway Patrol says you should have a plan to keep everyone safe.
    • Trooper Ken Watson has seen what can happen following a night of celebration.

SARASOTA, Fla. - The pineapple is set to drop in downtown Sarasota at midnight and Valerie DeLuca is ready to welcome 2025.

"What better to be in shorts and a t-shirt on New Year’s eve, hanging out with family and having a drink, getting to meet new people and enjoying the night," she said.

Sarasota firework show on NYE.

DeLuca hasn’t forgotten any plans for the night.

"I really just want to have a good time and then uber to get home safely," she said.

Before you get behind the wheel to head out, the Florida Highway Patrol stresses to come up with a plan to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

"Unfortunately what we do expect to see is too many impaired drivers on the roadway. We are going to do everything that we can by partnering with the sheriff’s office and police department to remove these people from the roadway. That’s why it’s critical we make these important decisions now. " said FHP Trooper Ken Watson.

READ: Burn bans in effect for Sarasota County and City of Venice

Trooper Ken Watson has seen what can happen following a night of celebration.

"This time of year too many folks get too excited about the events and they simply forget to plan ahead. We want to make sure we aren’t going to hurt anybody, or hurt ourselves, o23:11:15-"Getting an uber, taxi or even calling triple a is so much more convenient than making a critical error and getting arrested on New Year’s eve and starting 2025 in a negative format," said Trooper Watson.

That’s why law enforcement asks that you take a moment to figure out your plans from start to finish and bring in 2025 with a good start.

"The most difficult thing is having to knock on someone’s door and let them know that a loved one is not coming home because you made a bad decision. Let’s do the right thing," said Trooper Watson.

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