Beginning around December 26 and continuing through January 2nd, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office will join many other law enforcement agencies across the area and state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Taking Down DUI traffic enforcement campaign.  

In comparison with other holidays, the New Year Holiday period outranks most in the number of crashes in which at least one of the drivers is impaired by alcohol or drugs.  These crashes do not just affect the impaired driver but also impact others who share the vehicle and roadways.

Impaired driving crashes are completely preventable.

"We want to ensure everyone starts the New Year in a safe and fun way, not in jail, not standing over a mangled crash scene and certainly not making funeral arrangements for a loved one.  That's why law enforcement strongly encourages anyone who plans to ring in the New Year with celebratory drinks, to do so responsibly and have a designated sober driver to get everyone home safely," concluded Sheriff Groves.