Ohio Highway Patrol troopers will be out in full force New Year’s Eve, but the department is not expecting to pull over too many people.

Thursday, December 30, 1999

Ohio Highway Patrol troopers will be out in full force New Year’s Eve, but the department is not expecting to pull over too many people.

"Generally, New Year’s does not cause a great deal of traffic," OHP Ironton post commander Lt. Jim Coleman said. "New Year’s Eve is not an exceptionally heavy traffic time. Even before the actual New Year hour, there’s a reasonably large traffic volume, but it’s not extremely heavy."

A low traffic volume might be a little surprising for one of the biggest party nights of the year, but most people seem to act responsibly on the first of the new year, Coleman said.

"In past years, they seem to stay where they are or they have a designated driver," he said. "There are parties, but not a great deal of traveling. At least not that we see here locally."

Low holiday traffic expectations will not lull troopers into a state of false security, however, Coleman added.

"We have overtime hours assigned because of the potential for impaired drivers," he said. "That potential is always there. But this seems to be the one time of the year people listen to the message sent out by the media."

And that message is, "Don’t drink and drive," Coleman said.

"If drinking, you should have a designated driver or make other arrangements to stay where you are," he said. "There also are cab companies and, annually, there are different advertisements for services like that. There are numerous services available, especially on New Year’s Eve."

One of those services, Designated Driver Services, will drive the person and vehicle home.

"We’re just their chauffeur," said Don Hamilton, owner.

In Huntington, W.Va., or Chesapeake, the charge is $10 for the first 5 miles and $1 per mile after that, Hamilton said.

There’s a $35 minimum for transport to Ironton, Ashland, Ky., or Milton, W.Va.

And travel to South Point includes a $10 flat fee, plus $1 per mile once picked up, Hamilton said.

For more information, New Year’s Eve revelers may go online at www.designateddriverser.com or call 304-634-4547.

A new cab company also will be open to take New Year’s Eve partiers home. Village Cab Co. of Chesapeake will pick anyone up anywhere, owner Joyce Hazelett said.

"If we have a long way to go to get you, it’s a $1 a mile plus a $5 charge for dead miles to pick you up," Ms. Hazelett said.

Unfortunately, they do not offer car pickup, she added. But they hope to offer New Year’s Eve specials next year.

Anyone who needs a ride with Village Cab Co. may call 867-1304.

No matter what the cost, it’s never a good idea to get in a car after having a few drinks, Coleman said.

"By Ohio law, if you test 0.10 or over, you are presumed to be under the influence of alcohol," he said. "However, under Ohio law, if you test under 0.10, you can still be charged with a DUI offense, depending on the evidence the officer has or the circumstances involving a particular arrest."

One sip of champagne as the New Year dawns might not cause any harm, Coleman said.

"But it’s best to say I will toast the new year when I get home," he said. "It’s never recommended that someone drink and drive."