MADD Lethbridge, local bars working to get New Year's Eve partiers home safely

New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for most bars and restaurants, and many people heading out to celebrate will be drinking.

LETHBRIDGE -

New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for most bars and restaurants.

Many will host special events to ring in the new year.

"We've been doing this for 11 years. We always sell out, generally have a bit of a lineup because once the tickets come in, we might have room for a few more people, but it's a huge night. We got a ton of people out to party this year. We're doing a Y2K theme," said Jesse Dixon, operating partner at Hudson's.

Many people heading out to celebrate will be drinking.

That can lead to an increased risk of people choosing to drink and drive.

MADD Lethbridge says younger people tend to be the biggest offenders.

"Stats are always a few years behind, but I remember the last data from 2019; the age group is the 18-to-24 males. That's the age group that is the highest,” said Sann Chaurasiya, vice-president of MADD Lethbridge and Area.

The holiday season, and particularly New Year's, sees a spike in driving-under-the-influence charges.

Between Dec. 20 and 22, Lethbridge police took three impaired drivers off the road as part of its Christmas check-stop campaign.

While police are doing what they can to keep the roads safe, advocates are reminding partiers to make responsible choices.

"Pre-planning is always good. At the same time, if you are hosting a party, make sure your guests are not getting behind the wheel while they are under the influence. Or give them a place to sleep; that works too," Chaurasiya said.

Bars and restaurants know how important it is to make sure all their customers get home safe.

They'll be doing their part to help limit the number of impaired drivers on the road.

"Very important for us because we don't want to see people get in an accident. We don't want to be liable for people getting impaired or causing harm to someone else. So, we do offer calling rides, Ubers, taxis, sometimes our staff even volunteers to give someone a ride home," said Samantha Zilke, assistant general manager at Canadian Brewhouse.