Local Law Enforcement Out In Full Force Looking For Drunk Drivers

Many people are out on the roads New Year’s Eve including the OHP and county deputies. Both agencies teamed up to conduct check points.

DUI checkpoints are common during this time of year.

"Anytime you get a lot of people going out to have fun and celebrate and have a good time, you're going to get those people who decide to get behind the wheel after they've been drinking,” Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Mark Opgrande said.

In 2014, there were more than 1,700 alcohol related crashes in Oklahoma, and 151 of them were fatal, deaths that could have been prevented with one responsible decision.

"You can do lift. You can do Uber now. You can call cabs. You have Tipsy Tow, designated drivers,” Opgrande said.

Deputies have portable kiosks to quickly check licenses at the road blocks, but sometimes they do more than check licenses and often find open containers, drugs or weapons.

"We know a lot of people are going to be going out tonight. We want everybody to have a good time. It's New Year's Eve. People are going to go out. They're going to hit the town. They're going to have a fun time. We want them to do that, but we want them to be safe,” Opgrande said. “We want to make sure those people are safe when they're going home. They're doing the right thing. We don't want the people who choose to drink and drive spoil it for everyone else, because it can be deadly."