Lafayette, La(KADN)-Â New Year's Eve is right around the corner and many are eager to bring in 2023.
"We do see a big spike in crashes around this time," says Ashely Moran with Acadiana Planning Commission.
However, the Acadiana Planning Commission and Louisiana State Police are urging drivers to be cautious. With the focus on post-Christmas driving, in the last few years, there have been eight fatalities and eight severe injuries during that time frame.
"Not last year but the year before we had a significant spike through January one and the third of fatal crashes. That's something we don't want to see again," says Moran.
Moran says if you are heading out on new year's eve before getting in your car and starting your engine, make sure you make plans to get home ahead of time. "Either make a plan for a designated driver, to have someone that is not going to drink. That's going to drive yall around. Or make a plan to spend the night where you are at. Or make a plan to use a ridesharing service. I'm sure there's going to be lots of people using Uber or Lyft."
One resident says on nights like new year's eve he is extra careful on the road. "It's not me that's driving it's the other people on the road that I have to pay attention to. I need to be careful of what I am doing when I come out driving, paying attention to the drivers around me."
And for those that see a drunk driver on the road.
"Call 911. Report it to the local police agency. That's been really helpful in many cases. There is probably an officer close by that could intercept that person and make sure they don't hurt anyone else on the roadways," says Moran.
Louisiana State Police will also be out on the roadways targeting driving behavior, like impaired driving, speeding, unrestrained occupants, aggressive driving, and distracted driving.
Moran reminds those planning to go to a rural area at night to make sure you also know the roadways as a lot of them have curbs if you're driving impaired or too fast you may miss them.
