Law enforcement agencies prepare to tackle impaired driving for New Year's

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Impaired driving is a big topic, especially as many people prepare to celebrate New Year's.

Hundreds of lives have been lost to drug and alcohol-related crashes in the state over the past few years and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office wants to issue yet another reminder to not drive impaired.

"We know the people are going to go out. We want you to go out and have a good time. We want you to have fun but do so responsibly,” said Aaron Brilbeck with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office

It’s a simple request from the sheriff’s office and numerous other law enforcement agencies to ring in the new year safely.

"There are so many alternatives to driving while intoxicated,” Brilbeck said.

Brilbeck said ride share programs, designated drivers or even calling a friend will do. Over 400 lives have been lost due to drug and alcohol related crashes in Oklahoma since 2021. It’s clear that it’s never an accident and a main problem the county sheriff’s office continues to face are people thinking it's okay to drive high.

"So many times we'll pull somebody over and as soon as we pull them over, they roll down the window and this plume of smoke comes out like a Cheech and Chong movie,” Brilbeck said. “And they smile and they hand us their driver's license and with their red eyes, they also hand us their medical marijuana card."

However, it’s not a get out of jail free card.

"If my doctor prescribes morphine to me, I can't drive under the influence of morphine,” Brilbeck said as a comparison. “Very same with medical marijuana."

Saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints are also in the plans for multiple agencies in multiple counties this weekend and into the New Year's holiday. Brilbeck called it all hands on deck.

"We're not looking to spoil anybody's fun. We're looking to make sure that people are getting home alive,” he said.

Penalties for impaired driving can include fines as high as $10,000 and jail time can be up to one year on a first offense. You can also receive up to five years for a second offense within 10 years of the first.