The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office wishes a happy new year for all of its residents, and advises them to celebrate the holiday safely.

The Sheriff’s Office is participating in the Iowa Special Traffic Enforcement Program this holiday season, and is looking out for impaired drivers and those not wearing seatbelts. Sheriff Marty Arganbright encourages adults to plan ahead before heading to New Year’s Eve festivities, “Every year I talk about driving under the influence. If you think that there’s any time that that could happen and you decide to drive, please don’t. Have a designated driver always, in the long run everyone will be better off.”

Arganbright also urges motorists to always wear seatbelts. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, 126 of 329 traffic fatalities this year involved those wearing a seatbelt.