Albert Lea police urge residents to use caution

Staff

Published Friday, December 30, 2005

By Joseph Marks, Tribune staff writer

The Albert Lea Police Department is urging people to celebrate safely this holiday weekend.

“Alcohol is served at a lot of holiday and family get-togethers,” said Police Chief Dwaine Winkels, “and we don't want to see anyone get hurt.”

Public awareness of drunk driving during the New Year's holiday has increased over the years, according to Winkels, leading to fewer drunk driving fatalities.

“You don't see as much partying as you used to,” he said. “People are drinking less and they're getting sober drivers. Also, fewer people are going out because of the added fear of drunk drivers. They're still out there, but New Year's Eve has tapered off.”

Holidays are among the most dangerous times to be on the road, due to increased drunk driving.

There were 1,316 alcohol related traffic deaths in the U.S. between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day in 2004, according to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Web site, making up almost 40 percent of all traffic deaths during that time period.

Of those fatalities, 227, occurred during the New Year's holiday alone, making it the most dangerous holiday period of the year.

Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July are also especially dangerous, with 179 and 177 alcohol related traffic fatalities in 2004 respectively.

There were 184 alcohol related traffic deaths in Minnesota last year, making up 32 percent of all traffic deaths in the state.

Thirty-four percent of alcohol related traffic deaths in the state involved a driver with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of 0.08, according to MADD.

(Contact Joseph Marks at joseph.marks@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3435.)

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