Connecticut's liquor laws can be confounding with no sales of alcoholic beverages on Sundays and sales restricted to certain stores, but for New Year's Eve, they're quirky.
Bars get an extra hour. They can stay open til 3 a.m. on New Year's morning. At the same time, police will be using grant money to patrol the roads.
"We wish everyone a happy new year," said Sgt. Scott Custer, the communications manager for police in South Windsor. "We ask that people drive sober, they drive defensively and that they put down the cellphone and drive attentively so that we can avert any kind of holiday tragedy this year."
The continuing campaign against the dangers of drunken driving has helped some people decide to stay home.
"Open a bottle of champagne, say my prayers, and that's it," Martine Peauteau of East Hartford said.
One woman who is actually going out to a New Year's Eve party said she is concerned about the drive home.
"People do drink and drive," Shannon Yeager, of Glastonbury, said, "So I do worry about that, but we don't drink, so my husband and I are cautious."
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Meanwhile, those quirky liquor laws will leave some people dry on Saturday. No alcoholic beverages can be sold New Year's Day in Connecticut.
AAA if offering free rides for New Year's Eve in the Greater Hartford area through Yellow Cab. You must be at least 21 and have to call AAA to arrange a ride. The phone line will be active from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. Call 1-800-AAA-HELP.
