Crackdown on drunken drivers leads to 167 arrests in March

Law enforcement from across the state arrested 167 motorists for drunken driving during March. That's 63 more than tagged in February during a campaign to reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths and crashes in 15 counties where they most occur

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: April 4, 2008 - 11:47 AM

The State Patrol along with local police departments and sheriff's offices participating in Operation NightCAP stopped more than 2,100 vehicles and cited 777 drivers for traffic- and equipment-related violations.

Operation NightCAP stands for Nighttime Concentrated Alcohol Patrol, a program funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that is conducted several times a year.

"Enhanced DWI patrols will continue throughout the year," said Lt. Mark Peterson of the State Patrol. "If you don't want to get booked for DWI, book a safe and sober ride now."

Patrols in March targeted the 15 counties identified by state authorities as having the highest number of impaired drivers. From 2004 to 2006, those counties -- Anoka, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Cass, Crow Wing, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Rice, St. Louis, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Wright -- accounted for more than half of the state's 272 alcohol-related deaths and 762 serious injury accidents.

Of the DWI arrests in March, 125 were in the seven-county metro area.

A similar sweep in February resulted in 104 motorists arrested for drunken driving and 810 cited for traffic- and equipment-related violations, the Department of Public Safety said.

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