While New Year’s Eve is a night for celebration, it is also a night to be especially mindful of drinking and driving and the consequences it carries.

“The cost of getting a drunk driving ticket and a drunk driving arrest is just something you really don’t want to put yourself and your family through,” said Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley. “You’re looking at jail time and court costs if you do.”

In Alabama, a blood alcohol content above 0.8 is considered above the legal limit and warrants a DUI arrest, Riley said, and he encourages everyone to take this in to account before getting behind the wheel New Year’s Eve.

“Getting a DUI is something that’s life altering,” Riley stressed. “It’s important that people make arrangement for someone to pick them up if they’ve had too much to drink or if you can’t find someone, just stay where you are.”

If you notice a car swerving on the road and think the driver may be drunk, Riley said to pull over and call 911 and let law enforcement know.

“If you don’t say anything, you never know, they could cross in to another lane later on and kill somebody,” he said.

Other than an arrest and ticket, those caught drinking and driving are also facing costly court fees, Riley said. According to Alabama driving laws, these court costs can range anywhere from $600 to $1,200 for a first drunk driving conviction.

“It’s just not worth it,” Riley said.

Since New Year’s Eve is a night when many people celebrate with alcohol, Riley said he and several other police officers will be patrolling Selma and making sure the roads are free of drunk drivers.

“Of course we’ll be out there and I’m sure other agencies will be out there looking for drunk drivers too,” he said. “We will be out there looking. Drinking and driving, it’s just not a good way to start off the New Year.”