New Year’s Eve celebration was overall safe holiday, few arrests. 

New Year’s Eve celebration was overall safe holiday, few arrests. 

LUDINGTON — The organizers of the 2019 New Year’s Eve Drive Safe, Drive Sober campaign have declared it another success. The campaign offered free bus rides, taxi rides and towing. A total of 1,244 individuals were transported to and from their NYE destinations, rather than driving themselves and 16 of those individuals had their vehicles towed free of charge.

“This success was due to the combined efforts of Abrahamson’s Towing, Quinn’s Towing, Oceana Auto, Fier’s Towing & Recovery, Judy’s Rides and the Ludington Mass Transportation Authority,” said Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett.  

While many chose the service, some did not make wise choices. Two people were arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated while three others were arrested for other alcohol-related incidents. Three people were arrested for assault, one for controlled substance and one for an outstanding warrant. Two traffic citations were issued. 

There were also seven traffic crashes responded, however no injuries were reported. 

“Thanks to the combined efforts and resources of Abrahamson’s Towing, Quinn’s Towing, Fiers Towing & Recovery, Oceana Auto, Ludington Mass Transportation Authority, Judy’s Rides, Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Mason County, SADD, Ludington Beverage Co. Inc., several Ludington-Mason County area businesses, and Mason County law enforcement, the 2019 New Year’s Eve was another safe and enjoyable holiday,” Barnett said.

“The improvement in wind conditions on New Year’s Eve helped make for a great ball drop event.  Most people wisely chose to use the free transportation option or had a designated driver. This coupled with Mason County law enforcement agencies enhancing efforts to discourage intoxicated driving translated into a safer holiday.”