If you plan to ring in 2012 at a bar or party on New Year's Eve, plan a safe ride home.
Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Craig Douglass said police will be on the roads in force tonight and Saturday. There are plenty of safe alternatives to drinking and driving, Douglass said, so use one.
"We will have enhanced enforcement not only on New Year's Eve but Friday as well, looking for impaired drivers. [And] we will have increased resources on the road to respond to general-duty calls," Douglass said Thursday.
New Year's Eve is a busy night for police because lots of people are out on the roads, at parties and bars, he said. However, Douglass added, the vast majority of people celebrate responsibly.
"Most people are responsible. Cut those who aren't responsible, this is often the one day of the year when they tend to be responsible," Douglass said. "We [also] receive a lot of noise complaints. But many people tend to be more tolerant because it's New Year's."
Operation Red Nose spokesperson Andrea Johnson said New Year's Eve is the busiest night for the free, volunteer-based service. Operation Red Nose volunteers will drive you home in your vehicle, Johnson said.
"We'll have probably 30 to 32 teams on [New Year's Eve,]" Johnson said. "We'll have teams in all areas of Prince George [including] the Hart and College Heights. We encourage everyone to give us a call."
Volunteers will take calls from the public from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at 250-962-RIDE(7433), she said, and teams will be on the road until
5 a.m.
"It's free by donation and any donations we do receive stay in Prince George and go to youth and amateur sport," Johnson said.
Prince George Transit will also be offering free transportation on city buses from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve, city transit manager David Bradshaw said.
The service is totally free and buses will be running on all major routes, she said.
Prince George Taxi manager Sam Kuuluvainen said the majority of the company's fleet will be on the road New Year's Eve and available 24-hours a day.
"We have 67 cars in the fleet. We should have 50 to 55 cars out there," Kuuluvainen said. "Unfortunately we won't be able to get them all out there because lack of drivers."
A spokesperson for Emerald Taxi was not available as of press time.
