ORCUTT, Calif.- The countdown is on to 2013 and many people are ringing in the new year with a glass of champagne or two, but a reminder New Year's Eve night is the deadliest driving night of the year.
Move over Times Square the Central Coast certainty knows how to ring in the new year.
Central Coast News asked people at Rooney's Irish Pub in Orcutt what their drinking and how they're getting home on New Year's Eve. Mike Testa responded, "the Rooney's Home Brewed IPA and my wife is my designated driver tonight."
When reality hits and if you mix drinking and driving, it could be deadly.
"Think ahead, designate a driver, buckle up and please don't talk or text on the cell phone," said Assistant Chief Jeff Sgobda, California Highway Patrol.
New Year's Eve is the deadliest driving night of the year and it's hard to imagine three people were inside a mangled car that's displayed at Santa Maria CHP Office after getting behind the wheel drunk.
"The vehicle flipped over three different times and the driver was arrested for felony DUI," explained Sgobda.
Since Friday, nearly 90 people have been arrested on the Central Coast for driving under the influence.
"All of us, law enforcement included have had personal stories of drunk drivers tragically killing people and it's got to stop," said Police Chief Larry Ralston, Lompoc Police Department.
"Tonight is a night that should be a night of celebration, not a night of tragedy," said Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, (D) 19th District.
To make sure your night doesn't end in tragedy law enforcement is serious about this issue. They are stepping up patrols all with the idea of cracking down on the deadliest driving night of the year.
