As people across Central Illinois ring in the New Year, law enforcement is urging drivers to make safety a top priority, especially when it comes to impaired driving.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, alcohol and drug impairment remain a leading cause of serious and fatal crashes during the New Year’s holiday. Officers say many of those crashes are entirely preventable.

State and local police will be out in force through New Year’s Day, conducting stepped-up patrols and sobriety checkpoints aimed at keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Authorities are reminding partygoers to plan ahead before celebrating. That means designating a sober driver, using a rideshare service, or arranging a safe ride home. Police say even a short drive after drinking can have deadly consequences.

Drivers are also encouraged to watch for others who may be impaired and to call 911 if they see a vehicle being driven dangerously.

In addition to drunk driving concerns, officers are urging everyone to slow down, buckle up, and stay alert, especially during late-night and early-morning hours when visibility is low and roads may be slick.

Law enforcement says the goal this New Year’s isn’t to issue tickets, but to make sure everyone gets home safely.