FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department issued a statement regarging the upcoming New Year Holiday Weekend:
“Sunday night, when the clock strikes midnight, many people will be ringing in 2018 with a toast surrounded by family and friends and in some cases alcohol. Some will hit the hay after watching the ball drop, but others might continue to celebrate the new year by spending the next two hours at a local party or event. And while local law enforcement officers want celebrators to have fun, they also want them to stay safe. Call a friend, call an Uber, call a taxi, or just don’t drink if you’re going to be out.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) Alcohol impaired driving fatalities increased by 1.7 percent from 10,320 in 2015 to 10,497 in 2016. 28 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2016 was involving alcohol. In 2016 Alabama was 12th in the total number of Alcohol Impaired Driving Fatalities, with a total of 279.
Florence Police will have extra patrol units on duty for traffic enforcement and safety checks. With the start of the Holiday weekend kicking off on Friday we would like for everyone to remember to stay safe. We are encouraging everyone to have a designated driver if you plan to drink. If you are holding a party make sure some is responsible for your guest as they leave. We hope everyone who plans to celebrate the New Year with alcohol will make transportation plans before they ever have their first drink
Along with alcohol we also have the concern of fireworks. Florence has a City Ordinance concerning fireworks. This ordinance covers the time and place that they can be used – On December 31st you can detonate fireworks with the city limits between 10:00 am through 12:30 am on January 1st. You cannot use them if the firework will go over, explode over, or on someone else’s property. We also want everyone to be mindful of the Veterans that might be suffering from PTSD and the issues that the loud noise may cause them.”
