New Year's DUI Crackdown Pays Off For Oklahoma Law Enforcement

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol teamed up with local police departments and agents with the ABLE commission to stop drunk drivers before they ever got behind the wheel. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=13768028" target="_self">Tulsa Police, Troopers Hit The Bars New Years Eve</a>

Monday, January 3rd 2011, 4:21 pm

By: News On 6

New Year's DUI Crackdown Pays Off For Oklahoma Law Enforcement

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Efforts to crack down on drunk drivers on New Year's Eve paid off big for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The OHP teamed up with local police departments and agents with the ABLE Commission to stop drunk drivers before they ever got behind the wheel.

The Highway Patrol told News On 6 they made six DUI arrests on New Year's Eve and did not respond to any crashes. ABLE agents checked 35 bars in the Tulsa metro area and arrested just two people for public intoxication.

"When we were out in the bars, people were very eager to talk to us and tell us that they'd seen us on TV and they were happy with our efforts," said Erik Smoot, an ABLE Agent.

AAA said they had 38 Tipsy Tow calls on New Year's Eve. They only had 22 last year.