Police plan to crack down on drunken drivers over holidays in Las Vegas Valley

By Kyle B. Hansen

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Local law enforcement officials are issuing threats and alternatives to drivers who may be tempted to get behind the wheel after drinking during the holiday season.

Extra police officers will be patrolling the Las Vegas Valley during the next two weeks, specifically looking for motorists who are driving under the influence. There are also DUI checkpoints planned, although police have not announced specific locations yet.

Holiday partiers do have some options to avoid a drunken-driving arrest, although the options are somewhat more limited than in past years.

Designated Drivers Inc. has in the past offered free rides home for people who need them, but this year budget cuts have limited the program’s offering.

Last year, the organization provided rides for 2,000 drivers around the holidays, thanks to funding from the state Officer of Traffic Safety and from State Farm Insurance.

This year, funding from the state was cut in half, giving them enough money to cover about 600 rides, the number provided on New Year's Eve and Day alone last year.

“On New Year’s Eve there’s tons of parties at people’s homes and unfortunately this year we can’t pick people up as part of this program,” CEO Billie Smith said.

The organization has cut back the number of days it will provide the free rides this year and is only providing rides from bars that have paid a $100 fee to become an affiliated location.

The organization provides rides year around to people who have had too much to drink, but normally charges a $60 fee plus a mileage fee.

For those who do need rides from locations not participating in the program, the mileage fee will be waived during the holiday season.

In the past, Designated Drivers has also offered free rides on St. Patrick’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday and Cinco De Mayo, but “as it stands right now, it’s not going to happen,” next year, Smith said.

Designated Drivers not only gives people a ride home so they aren’t driving drunk, but it gives the ride in the person’s own car, so it is not left behind at a party or bar.

AAA will be providing a similar service for the holidays, but instead of getting a ride home, callers will get a tow home.

The Tipsy Tow program is only offered from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Anyone can call 800-222-4357 and get a free tow up to 10 miles, even if they are not a AAA member.