Fourteen arrested for drunk driving during crackdown

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Alexandria police officers and Douglas County sheriff’s deputies arrested 14 impaired motorists during a statewide, end-of-summer DWI enforcement effort, August 21 through September 7.

Both agencies were among nearly 400 law enforcement agencies across the state participating in the effort conducted by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In addition to DWI enforcement during the campaign, eight seat belt citations under Minnesota’s new primary seat belt law were issued. Under this law, officers can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations, including unbelted passengers.

During 2006-2008, 519 motorists were killed and another 1,159 motorists were seriously injured in alcohol-related crashes statewide. During that same time period, 116,515 motorists were arrested for DWI – 35,736 in 2008.

In Douglas County during 2006-2008, there were four impaired driving deaths, 39 serious injuries and 823 DWI violations issued. The local economic impact of alcohol-related fatalities was $4,620,000.

“Drinking and driving continues to be a serious issue in our community,” said Sergeant Kevin Guenther of the Alexandria Police Department.

“The Alexandria Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are both committed to keeping Douglas County motorists safe by taking impaired drivers off our roads,” added Deputy Brandon Chaffins.

The enforcement and education effort is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. TZD is an interdisciplinary approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering and emergency trauma care.

Tags: crime news, drunk driving, news, police, sheriff, dwi