Officers to step up DWI enforcement for Halloween

Published Monday, October 26, 2009

The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sherriff’s Office will go trick-or-treating for impaired drivers on Halloween weekend through increased DWI patrols. The holiday is a serious concern for law enforcement as Halloween falls on a Saturday — which will likely cause an influx of revelers. Law enforcement is urging Halloween partiers to have a plan for a safe and sober ride to keep the roads safe.

Halloween has become one of the biggest party nights of the year. During Minnesota Halloween party weekends from 2006 to 2008, seven of the 15 traffic deaths were alcohol-related. Another 40 people were seriously injured in crashes, of which 15 were alcohol-related. During this period, 1,487 motorists were arrested for drunken driving.

“Halloween has the potential to truly be a scary night as more people get behind the wheel after drinking,” said Albert Lea Police Lt. J.D. Carlson.

In 2006-08 in Freeborn County, there were four alcohol-related deaths and six alcohol-related injuries, costing the county $4,943,000. Last year, 169 impaired drivers were arrested for DWI in the county. In Minnesota during this same period, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 519 deaths and 1,159 serious injuries — and 116,515 motorists were arrested for DWI.

Law enforcement urges Albert Lea and Freeborn County residents to have a plan for a safe ride home before indulging: Designate a sober driver, use alternative or public transportation or stay the night at the location of the celebration.

Law enforcement officers also emphasize the importance of pedestrian safety on Halloween.

Treat-seekers and parents should review basic pedestrian rules — cross at intersections or marked crosswalks, use flashlights and reflective wear and never dart in front of traffic. Motorists should reduce speeds and remain alert at all times.

The enforcement effort is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths initiative. The initiative is the state’s cornerstone traffic safety program that employs a multidisciplinary approach to address traffic safety issues through enhanced enforcement, education efforts, improved engineering and efficient emergency trauma response. Law enforcement will participate in additional enforcement and education campaigns during 2009-10 to target seat belt use, speeding and impaired driving.

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