YORK, Neb. (KLKN) – More drivers are getting caught for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in York.

Sergeant Taylor Samek has worked for the York County Sheriff’s Office for over a decade and says the increase started after COVID.

“For DUI drug numbers, York County is second in court filings in the state of Nebraska for people that are driving under the influence of drugs,” said Samek.

“And for a county our size, that puts us right behind Lancaster County,” he said.

The York County Sheriff’s Office reported seven DUI arrests this week alone.

Most recently, a driver traveling to Lincoln was caught driving at 92 mph.

After being pulled over by a nightside deputy, the driver was found to have a blood alcohol level of nearly three times the legal limit.

“That not only affects the impaired driver’s life for a while, but it also affects families within our community for a while, because you’ve got to think, that’s someone that’s not showing up to the table at Thanksgiving, they’re not there for Christmas, that’s life-altering stuff,” said Samek.

The Sheriff’s Office is proactively working to combat this trend.

Sgt. Samek teaches field sobriety testing and DUI detection in the academy.

As for advice to other drivers?

“The biggest thing is to plan ahead,” he said, referring to having a designate driver arrange before heading out.

“You know, obviously we’re a small community, you know, ride share here isn’t necessarily the best option,” said Samek.

“All it takes is you drifting over that center line, and that could have life-altering effects for you and the other driver. I think that’s the main thing that people tend to forget is, oh, you know what, it’s only a couple blocks, I won’t get caught. We’re out there.
We’re out there stopping cars. If you’re going out tonight, so are we,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that if the public notices an impaired driver on the roadway, to report it immediately to 911 or their non-emergency line at 402-362-4927.