Politics & Government

Letter: Don't Start 2012 in Jail

Think before you put the keys in the ignition after a night of partying this New Year's Eve, writes S. Lynn Epps, the director of Cherokee County's DUI/Drug Court.

As National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is winding down, one of the biggest times for drinking and driving is approaching.

The Cherokee County DUI/Drug Court wants to remind everyone to think before you put the keys in the ignition after a night of partying this New Year’s Eve.

There are several ways to make Cherokee County’s roads safer this New Year’s Eve, and the first is to never drink and drive.

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Our goal is to make sure everyone understands the risks involved and how to minimize those risks for themselves and others.

Before you leave to go out for the night, make sure you have a designated driver in place or you have a car service to drive you from place to place. You can also choose a cab company and keep the number with you. Call and arrange for pick up when you are ready to go home.

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Most establishments will offer designated drivers free soft drinks or other non-alcoholic beverages for the night.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has launched another tool to keep motorists safe this year.

It is offering apps for smartphones called “Drive Sober, Georgia.” The mobile app will give you a list of free sober ride programs to make sure you get home safely.

The free app is available for download on the iPhone and Android markets. It can be viewed at drivesobergeorgia.com.

Local law enforcement agencies also will be out in force looking for impaired drivers.

A DUI could cost thousands of dollars and jail time.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve safely this year, and utilize the tools at your disposal, because you don’t want to start off 2012 in jail, or worse. Drug Courts Work! For more information about the Cherokee County DUI/Drug Court, go to cherokeeduidrugtreatment.com.

S. Lynn Epps
Director, Cherokee County's DUI/Drug Court


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