As the countdown to 2012 begins to hit full stride, public safety officials have two warnings: If you're going to drink alcohol, have a sober person drive, and don't blast in the New Year by shooting a gun.
Last year, 14 people were killed statewide, including five pedestrians, during the 78-hour New Year's period. Alcohol was a factor in at least four of those deaths.
AAA Alabama will again offer free towing for impaired drivers. The Tow-for-Life service will be available from 6 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. New Year's Day.
"We want everyone to get home safely," said Clay Ingram, AAA Alabama spokesman. "So if you or someone you know has too much to drink on New Year's Eve, just call 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) and we'll get you home safely."
Towing is free for up to 10 miles. The driver or vehicle owner must be present when the tow truck arrives, because the driver will ask for identification and the keys upon arrival.
Birmingham police will again have extra officers on duty in Operation Crackdown, which targets people shooting guns from 6 p.m. New Year's Eve through 6 a.m. New Year's Day.
"A bullet fired into the air can climb up to two miles," Birmingham police Sgt. Johnny Williams said in a statement. "When it falls back to earth, it can reach a speed of 300 to 700 feet per second. A velocity of only 200 feet per second is sufficient to penetrate the human skull."
In 2008, two Birmingham residents were injured by falling bullets fired on New Year's Eve. In 2003, a Birmingham woman was in church for a New Year's Eve service when she was wounded by a stray bullet at the stroke of midnight.
Last year, Birmingham police dispatchers handled nearly 400 calls about shots fired, and the department's ShotSpotter system reported 214 instances of gunfire. Police arrested five people and seized 26 weapons.
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