New Year's Eve reminders

Bars will soon be filled with people celebrating the start of 2013. But too many drinks could land you in hot water with the law.

The State Patrol is reminding revelers to have a designated driver on New Year's Eve to avoid a drunken driving arrest or crash.

Special patrols will be out and about across the state Monday night. That includes OWI Task Forces in Brown, Manitowoc, Marinette, Sheboygan and Winnebago counties.

Law enforcement officials say that on average, someone is killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash about every 2½ hours in Wisconsin.

Instead of risking an arrest, or even worse - killing or injuring someone else or yourself - the State Patrol offers the following suggestions:

• Before you start partying, choose a sober designated driver.
• If you're feeling buzzed, you probably are over the 0.08 (alcohol concentration) limit and should not drive.
• Take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Don't allow friends to drive drunk no matter how much they protest.
• Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit www.tlw.org for more information.
• In the Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison and Green Bay areas, Miller Lite and the local transit systems are teaming to provide Miller Lite Free Rides on New Year's Eve. Bus route and schedule information is available by calling 1-800-FREE-RIDES (1-800-373-3743), or visiting MillerLiteFreeRides.com.