HALLOWEEN PRE-ENFORCEMENT MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:

Oct.[DATE], 2013

BOO! EXTRA DWI PATROLS OUT THIS HALLOWEEN

Nearly 2,500 arrested for DWI During Last Five Halloweens

[YOUR CITY/COUNTY], Minn. —Halloween partygoers beware—[YOUR AGENCY]will be increasing their DWI enforcement presence this weekend, an effort coordinated by Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.OR, IF NO ENFORCEMENT PLANNED:[YOUR AGENCY]cautions Halloween party hosts and revelers to plan for sober rideshome and keep [YOUR COUNTY/CITY] roads safe.

During Halloween party weekends during the last five years, 2008–2012,crashes involving drunk drivers accounted for seven deaths. In addition, there were27 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]

“Impaired driving typically rears its ugly head during the Halloween party period, which creates a dangerous environment on our roads,” says [AGENCY SPOKESPERSON].“Before you put on your costume and head out for the night, make sure you have a plan in place for a sober way home to avoid the dangers and consequences of drivingdrunk.”

In the last three years in [YOUR COUNTY],[##] people were killed in drunk driving crashes and [##] were seriously injured by impaired drivers.

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.

Pedestrian Safety

[YOUR AGENCY]also emphasizes the importance of pedestrian safety on Halloween. Trick-or-treaters and parents should review basic rules — be aware of moving traffic, cross streets only at intersections or marked crosswalks, carry flashlights and wear reflective clothing. Trick-or-treaters should continue to look both ways as they cross, as distracted drivers may not be looking for them. Motorists should reduce speeds and be prepared to see and stop for pedestrians.

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.