2008 Woodie Awards
Police giving out more 'presents'
by Bronson Pettitt
Issue date: 12/6/07
Section: Local and State News
- Page 1 of 1
Christmas presents are coming early for drivers in Minnesota this season.
Well, kind of. A DWI is probably the last thing a motorist would want, but a joint coalition by area police has been "gift-wrapping" safe roads as part of Minnesota's Safe and Sober campaign. That simply means increasing vigilance on roads, and with more deaths to date this year, Minnesota's traffic deaths outpace last year's at this time.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department, Mankato Police, Nicollet County Sheriff and St. Peter Police, along with about 395 other law enforcement agencies in the state, will keep a closer eye out for drunk drivers.
In 2006, Minnesota tallied a record-low number of alcohol-related traffic deaths - 166 - yet a record-high 41,832 motorists were arrested for DWI. In Blue Earth County, from 2004 to 06, there were eight impaired driving deaths and 1,861 DWI arrests.
"This enforcement wave has become a top priority for area deputies and officers," said Ofc. Adam Gray added.
Blue Earth County is among the 13 deadliest counties for alcohol-related fatalities, Gray said.
In Minnesota, at least 500,395 motorists have a DWI on record. A DWI can cost up to $20,000 when factoring in increased insurance cost rates, legal and other fees. The Department of Public Safety reports that of all alcohol-related drivers killed in 2006, nearly 70 percent were not wearing seat belts.
Young adults are among the primary violators of impaired driving. From 2004 to 06, more than 14 percent of DWIs in Blue Earth County were committed by motorists in their early 20s and those under 21.
Bronson Pettitt is the Reporter editor in chief
Well, kind of. A DWI is probably the last thing a motorist would want, but a joint coalition by area police has been "gift-wrapping" safe roads as part of Minnesota's Safe and Sober campaign. That simply means increasing vigilance on roads, and with more deaths to date this year, Minnesota's traffic deaths outpace last year's at this time.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department, Mankato Police, Nicollet County Sheriff and St. Peter Police, along with about 395 other law enforcement agencies in the state, will keep a closer eye out for drunk drivers.
In 2006, Minnesota tallied a record-low number of alcohol-related traffic deaths - 166 - yet a record-high 41,832 motorists were arrested for DWI. In Blue Earth County, from 2004 to 06, there were eight impaired driving deaths and 1,861 DWI arrests.
"This enforcement wave has become a top priority for area deputies and officers," said Ofc. Adam Gray added.
Blue Earth County is among the 13 deadliest counties for alcohol-related fatalities, Gray said.
In Minnesota, at least 500,395 motorists have a DWI on record. A DWI can cost up to $20,000 when factoring in increased insurance cost rates, legal and other fees. The Department of Public Safety reports that of all alcohol-related drivers killed in 2006, nearly 70 percent were not wearing seat belts.
Young adults are among the primary violators of impaired driving. From 2004 to 06, more than 14 percent of DWIs in Blue Earth County were committed by motorists in their early 20s and those under 21.
Bronson Pettitt is the Reporter editor in chief
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