As we say good bye to 2015 and welcome 2016, there will be many tying one on to celebrate the year but Okotoks Municipal Enforcement is reminding everyone to plan a safe ride home New Year's Eve.

Municipal Enforcement Manager Tim Stobbs says there will be abundance of law enforcement on the roads Thursday night.

"RCMP and Municipal Enforcement are fully staffed for those dates, we want to make sure that we have a presence," he says. "We've seen that more and more people are getting the message and they're making plans before they go out to make sure they get home if you're going out and going to drink please don't drive."

Stobbs says he has seen less occurrences of driving while under the influence during the holidays and he credits the younger generation for making the smart choice by leaving the keys at home.

"I think we still have the people going out and enjoying themselves but what they've done is made the appropriate arrangements to get home," he says. "One of the things I've noticed with the youth is that they're very dedicated to this, if they're going out somewhere they're not shy about phoning a friend for a ride and we thank them for that."

Checkstops will appear just about everywhere in the community and Stobbs says if you see one don't be shocked to see another setup.

"Most checkstops will only be in a location for an hour or two then they'll move," he says.  "The idea is not to be sneaky but the idea is to demonstrate presence and it also reinforces if people are going out, they see that law enforcement groups are out and about and checking vehicles."

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