Drivers have won praise from Police after steering clear of booze on New Year's Eve.

Nobody was arrested for drunk driving on the last day of 1997 despite several roadside checks by traffic officers.

But the crime countdown included five minor assaults on Police officers.

And a 13-year-old boy was thrown into St. George's Harbour after an argument with an older youth in the Town Square.

Head of Operations Ch. Insp. Larry Smith said two people were arrested for dangerous driving or driving without due care.

Eight people were injured in 14 crashes but there were no arrests for impaired driving.

Chief Insp. Smith said: "Police are extremely pleased with the behaviour of the public and wish to congratulate members of the public for their control and concern for other road users, particularly during this traditionally active period.'' Last month, the Road Safety Council called on drivers to take responsibility foir their own actions and scrapped a "free ride home'' idea.

The Council linked up with Government and sponsors in 1996 to launch a designated driver campaign.

The initiative included pre-paid taxis waiting in line to take people home free of charge.

Road Safety Council chairman George Morton said: "We are very pleased that there were no drunk driving incidents this year.

"I think the result was down to the new legislation which means that there is now no discretion for magistrates to let people keep part of their licence.

"We also decided not to run the free ride home idea and it seems that the majority of people were responsible and adhered to the law.

"We are saying that you have to be responsible and accountable for your own actions.

"We didn't want to be seen as encouraging people to drink and giving them an alternative to get around the Island.

"I am not going to be niave and say that nobody on the roads was impaired but those people were very lucky.

"We are trying to encourage the public to think before they drive and think before they start drinking and think before they go out to functions.'' Meanwhile, Police said they were investigating 34 New Year's Eve property crimes, four minor assaults and the five assaults on officers.

One Policeman said he was shoved in the back by a 19-year-old Southampton youth during a brawl outside the Number One Shed on Front Street just after midnight on New Year's Day.

The teenager was arrested for violently resisting arrest and using offensive words.

A 27-year-old St. George's man was arrested in Hamilton after he allegedly spat at one officer and pushed a Policewoman in the chest just before 3 a.m.

Police said two other officers were assaulted by revellers.

And a 43-year-old man was arrested after a woman claimed he set her sofa on fire in Woodbourne Avenue, Pembroke.

Police said they found the man sitting near the sofa -- already in flames -- when they arrived at the house on New Year's Eve.

The suspect, from Pembroke, was taken into custody after Police put out the fire.

A Police spokeswoman said a woman also complained that her 13-year-old son was thrown into the water in St. George's.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested by officers on foot patrol in St. George's town square. He was later bailed.