Halloween Post-Enforcement Media Release

Halloween Post-Enforcement Media Release

HALLOWEEN POST-ENFORCEMENT MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:

Oct.[DATE], 2013

[####] ARRESTED FOR DWI ON HALLOWEEN

[YOUR CITY/COUNTY], Minn. —Added DWI patrols surrounding Halloween resulted in [###] DWI arrests, according to [YOUR AGENCY]. [IF A “25 TARGETED DWI COUNTY,” INCLUDE]: Increased DWI patrols will continue in [YOUR COUNTY] during the next 12 months. [YOUR COUNTY] is among 25 Minnesota counties with the highest number of drunk driving deaths (##) and alcohol-related serious injuries (##) during the last three years.

“Getting in the habit of planning ahead for a sober ride will put a real dent in drunk driving behavior and its tragic results,” says [SPOKESPERSON].

During Halloween party weekends during the last five years (2008–2012), crashes involving drunk drivers accounted for seven deaths. In addition, there were 27 serious, life-altering injuries where drinking and driving was involved. During this period, 2,484motorists were arrested for DWI. [INCLUDE LOCAL DATA IF YOU HAVE FROM LAST YEAR]

Minnesota Drunk Driving Facts

  • 104 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2012.
  • 2,644 people suffered injuries in alcohol-related crashes in 2012.
  • 28,418 people were arrested for DWI in 2012, the average alcohol-concentration was 0.154.

DWI Consequences
A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time.

Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges, or face at least one year without a driver’s license. Offenders with three or more offenses are required to use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.

Tips to Prevent Drunk Driving

  • Plan for a sober ride — designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.
  • Offer to be a designated driver, or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.
  • Buckle up — the best defense against a drunk driver.
  • Report drunk driving — call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.

Enhanced DWI enforcement is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death (TZD) initiative. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.

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