Drunk Driving Accident Prevention: Operation NightCAP DWI Arrests up in July
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, July Operation NightCAP (nighttime concentrated alcohol patrol) DWI enforcement campaigns resulted in 196 DWI arrests — the highest monthly total for DWI arrests in 2009.
“Arresting DWI offenders is a team effort,” says Lt. Matt Langer of the Minnesota State Patrol. “We all go out with the common goal of protecting Minnesota motorists by arresting drunk drivers.”
According to Langer, DWI enforcement efforts are vital during the summer driving season when drunk driving and alcohol-related fatalities spike. During July, August and September in 2006–2008, drunk driving accidents accounted for 164 deaths — representing 32 percent of all alcohol-related deaths for the three-year period.
During 2006–2008, traffic crashes killed 1,459 people on Minnesota roads — 519 were alcohol related. Historically, more than 30 percent of all fatal traffic crashes are alcohol-related.
NightCAP targets the 13 deadliest counties for impaired driving: Anoka, Blue Earth, Crow Wing, Dakota, Hennepin, Itasca, Ramsey, Rice, St. Louis, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Wright. During 2005–2007, these counties accounted for more than half of the state’s alcohol-related deaths (272) and serious injuries (663).
NightCAP efforts have generated 1,284 DWI arrests since enhanced DWI patrols began in fall 2008: Anoka (372), Blue Earth (89), Crow Wing (26), Dakota (61), Hennepin (270), Itasca (36), Ramsey (165), Rice (43), St. Louis (61), Sherburne (66), Stearns (36), Washington (36) and Wright (23).
NightCAP is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The program combines city, county and state law enforcement agencies to target specific roadways where impaired driving is likely.
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