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Extra DWI enforcement coming in December
Published Friday, November 27, 2009
To combat the serious threat of impaired driving on Albert Lea and Freeborn County roads, law enforcement will conduct directed DWI patrols as part of a Minnesota-wide crackdown throughout December.
December is among the deadliest months for alcohol-related crashes and DWI arrests.
The enforcement campaign includes participation from around 400 Minnesota law enforcement agencies, all deploying extra officers to work overtime hours targeting impaired drivers.
A DWI results in loss of license for at least 90 days and cost up to $20,000 when factoring in increased insurance costs, legal and other fees. There are more than half a million Minnesotans with a DWI on record — translating to one in eight Minnesota drivers with a DWI.
“Avoiding a DWI arrest simply comes down to having a plan for a safe and sober ride,” said Lt. J.D. Carlson. “There’s no excuse for driving impaired and putting lives at risk on our roads.”
Each year, alcohol-related crashes account for up to 200 traffic deaths and nearly 400 serious injuries. These crashes and fatalities have been declining in recent years, and law enforcement says enhanced DWI enforcement campaigns have been a major factor in Minnesota’s continuing trend of lower alcohol-related traffic deaths.
In 2008 there were 163 alcohol-related deaths — a record low — and two in Freeborn County. Drinking and driving crashes still account for more than one-third of all traffic deaths annually.
Law enforcement says a major factor for a large percentage of alcohol-related deaths is seat belt use. Each year around 75 percent of the impaired drivers killed in crashes are also not belted.
According to Carlson, the state’s primary seat belt law will help officers stop impaired drivers before they do harm to others or themselves.
During 2006-08 in Freeborn County, there were four alcohol-related deaths. Statewide, there were 394 alcohol-related deaths of which 256 were unbelted.
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Comments
Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Back to old tactics! The Thanksgiving reminder about being safe on the roads was a very refreshing and welcome approach by law enforcement. Now, just a few days later, they have reverted back to "threat of the month" tactic. What a shame!
Posted by menace56 (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
^ Why such anger? It only is a threat if you drink and drive.
I prefer a proactive approach by law enforcement to apprehend drunken drivers. Drunk drivers are the shame, not law enforcement.
Posted by knockerknock (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A vehicle rollover on southbound Hwy. 169 and 190th St. north of Milaca resulted in two serious injuries on Thursday morning, Nov. 26, at about 4:47 a.m.
Both occupants, Michael Pfromm, 24, and Dawn Cameron, 23, both of Lexington, were ejected from the vehicle and airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale with unknown injuries. Alcohol was detected on both parties, and neither was wearing a seatbelt, according to the State Patrol report.
The accident occurred near the intersection of Hwy. 169 and Mille Lacs County 11.
Late last week, a Crystal man was found guilty of fleeing police and causing the April 18 death of a woman after he sped through a red light at the top of an exit ramp off Interstate 35E and crashed into the car she was riding in with her husband. Hopefully, her family will find a little solace in the drivers going to prison. Sympathy goes out to all those that suffered from this loss.
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office has filed notice that it intends to seek a longer-than-guideline sentence for the driver of an SUV accused of driving away drunk after hitting two pedestrians walking along Rice Lake Road last month.
Julie Ann Gronski, 27, is charged with eight crimes including criminal vehicular operation, hit and run and driving after suspension. She’s accused of hitting Alexander Balluff, 18, of Oak Grove, Minn., just after 2:30 a.m. Oct. 31 in the 2200 block of Rice Lake Road. Balluff suffered a traumatic brain injury. One of three friends walking with Balluff, Nicholas Biser, also was struck in the elbow but was not seriously hurt
It goes on and on, extra Law Enforcement is essential just to try to reduce these types of incidents.
Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good post knockerknock. that should make things clear to Old trojan. i'm sure he would feel differently if he had ever lost a loved one to a drunk driver. get them off the roads.
Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my! It is law enforcement's job to get the drunk driver off the road throughout the entire year, not just at Christmas. I still do not agree with the "threat of the month" scare tactics that law enforcement uses. It is demeaning and patronizing.
Posted by nightrider (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess if the law enforcement hadn't said anything and upped the patrol then OldTrojan would have criticized them for not warning drunk drivers. I have driven impaired many years ago and I thank God each day I hadn't hurt anyone! Actually, perhaps he is correct. WE all know the law. We shouldn't have to be warned anymore. I can't imagine being the one to pull out decapitated bodies (or pick them up out of the ditches and fields) because someone choose to be drunk. Or going to someone's home who is awaiting for a loved one and telling them, "Your son, daughter, husband....or wife will not be coming home anymore."
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A while back, Police Chief Dewaine Winkels was asked on the radio what the legal limit would be compared to. His answer was 2 beers in an hour for an average person would equal the legal limit.
Posted by wakemaker (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The "threat of the month" is aimed at those who choose to drive drunk over and over again. I don't drive drunk so I'm not "offended" and I certainly don't feel like anyone is patronizing me. I take if for what it is...a notice to the losers that drink in excess on the holiday's that they'll be out protecting me, my wife, and my two young kids. Finally, my oldest brother was killed by a drunk driver so I could care less if Old Trojan or anyone else is offended. Whatever it takes to keep them (and he's probably one of them or he wouldn't be that fired up) off the road.
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