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Limo drivers seeing little business for big party night

Mary Adkins, owner of Adkins Willow Wind Carriage and Limousine Service, with some of the vehicles available on New Year's Eve. Staff photo by Bill Lackey

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By Valerie Lough, Staff Writer Updated 10:49 AM Thursday, December 31, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The one social occasion of the year that most calls for designated drivers finds area transportation services with little to do on New Year’s Eve.

“We’ve never had a completely booked evening,” said Rich Goforth, owner of Goforth Limousine.

Other services have even more free time. Terry Adkins, co-owner of Adkins Willow Wind Carriage and Limousine Service, said he has no bookings New Year’s Eve. “We’ve only had one inquiry,” said Adkins.

Part of the reason may be that some partygoers just aren’t going out, said Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly. “We think a lot of people do stay home to celebrate,” he said.

Adkins said that when people fail to use his service, he worries about safety. “It scares me that a lot of people will be out taking chances and drinking and driving,” he said.

That concerns law enforcement, too. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols Thursday night and will continue through Monday, Jan. 4, Kelly said.

Ohio Highway Patrol will also carry out extra patrols, said Lt. Craig Cvetan, Springfield Post.

Springfield police will also be targeting impaired drivers and other violations, said Lt. Noel Lopez, Springfield Police Division.

“We will be doing our usual active, aggressive traffic enforcement,” he said. “You should make sure you have a designated, sober, licensed driver.”

Goforth said that having more law enforcement out gives people another incentive to hiring a limousine service. “It’s cheaper than a DUI,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.

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