Plan for a safe ride St. Patrick's Day or your luck may run out

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The Douglas County Sheriff’s office wants St. Patrick’s Day celebrants to first plan for a sober ride home and buckle their seat belts to avoid what historically is a deadly period on the road.

Statewide on St. Patrick’s Day, 2006-2008, alcohol-related crashed accounted for seven of 14 traffic deaths and five of those deaths were unbelted. During that same time period, 1,567 drivers were arrested for DWI. Each year, alcohol-related crashes account for up to 200 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries in Minnesota.

During the entire year, from 2006-2008 in Douglas County, alcohol-related crashes killed four motorists and seriously injured another 85. The economic impact of those crashes cost Douglas County more than $6.6 million. During that same time period, more than 800 motorists were arrested for DWI in Douglas County.

“Before you start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, designate a sober driver and have a plan for a safe ride.

“Drunk drivers are an ongoing problem on our roads in Douglas County. Don’t rely on the luck o’ the Irish to get you home safely. A DWI will cost you a pot of gold,” said Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Brandon Chaffins.

Tags: local news, st patricks day, law enforcement, drinking and driving, news, sheriff, police