Extra patrols planned across Middle Georgia for New Year’s weekend

Officials say patrols, checkpoints and DUI enforcement will increase across the region during holiday celebrations.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With the New Year just days away, law enforcement agencies across Middle Georgia say they will increase patrols to keep roads safe during holiday celebrations.

The New Year is this week, and many people will be celebrating, but law enforcement wants it to be known they will be out on the roads ensuring safety. Increased police patrols will be monitoring streets across the state for New Year’s. Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton shared safety tips and ways to prevent an encounter with the law.

“DUIs kill a lot of motorists in Georgia, and oftentimes it’s innocent motorists that are hit by an impaired driver. And our goal in Houston County is to provide safe passage on all our roadways for all our citizens,” Moulton said.

Sheriff Moulton shared where his deputies will be patrolling and says there will be checkpoints set up throughout the county to help ensure everyone makes it home safely after a night of celebrating.

“Restaurants that sell alcohol, some of the clubs and bars we have, and also residential streets,” he said. “You know a lot of people will be gathering at friends’ houses and may have a little too much to drink and believe they are OK to drive home.”

He explained how deputies spot an impaired driver.

“We may see a driver fail to maintain their lane, or they may realize they didn’t turn their headlights on, so, at 2 or 3 in the morning, when their headlights must be on, they’re driving down the road with no headlights on,” he said. “Sitting at the red light after the light has turned green for a period of time — those are all indicators of an impaired driver.”

Sheriff Moulton says Houston County has several taxi services and wrecker drivers willing to offer rides and tow vehicles home. In Macon, Coroner Leon Jones is offering his annual New Year’s Eve service by driving people home for free.

“It doesn’t make any sense to put your life in jeopardy, an innocent person’s life in jeopardy, or law enforcement when you can call me,” Jones said. “And mind you, I’ve been doing this program for 14 years. It’s free. All you’ve got to do is call us. Anywhere in Bibb County, we’ll pick you up.”

To get a free ride home from Coroner Jones, call (478) 256-6716.