(WICHITA, Kan.)—
Slick roads and drunk drivers. It's a combination could make work difficult for state troopers out New Year's Eve."On New Year's Eve there tends to be an escalation in impaired drivers and then with the inclement weather on top of that driving conditions are obviously poor," says State Trooper Carl Mackey.
The trooper says if you don't have to be out tomorrow, stay home.
The last snowfall prepared for a potential new year's eve storm.
Within hours of snow falling December 20th, troopers had responded to more than 80 wrecks, just before the lunch hour.
Troopers say drivers should avoid bridges and overpasses which have the potential for hazardous driving conditions.
"Slow down, increase following distance, accelerate slowly and of course wear your seat belt," says Mackey.
Budget cuts and logistics will prevent the troopers from having extra help out on the roads. But they say they will be fully staffed and will pull over impaired drivers.
They're hoping drivers learned something from the last storm.
"They've got a feel for driving on the ice and realize that if they don't have to be out then they should stay home," says Mackey.
