THANKSGIVINGPRE-ENFORCEMENT MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:

November [DATE], 2011PHONE:

[YOUR AGENCY(IES)] DECLARE OPEN SEASON ON IMPAIRED ROAD TURKEYS

DURING THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

[OR, IF NO EXTRA ENFORCEMENT PLANNED, USE THIS:]

[YOUR AGENCY(IES)] SERVESUP SAGE TRAVEL MENU FOR THANKSGIVING PILGRIMS

[YOUR CITY/COUNTY], Minn. —[YOUR AGENCY]willbe serving extra DWI enforcement during the Thanksgiving period —historically one of the year’s deadliest holiday on Minnesota roads. The enforcement will focus on Thanksgiving eve or [DATES], an active night for impaired driving and related incidents.

[YOUR AGENCY]officers are reminding motorists to travel safely during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. In Minnesota during the Thanksgiving travel period (Wed.–Sun), 2008–2010, 16 motorists were killed and 1,834 motorists were arrested for DWI. Of the 16 deaths, six were alcohol-related and seven were unbelted occupants.

In addition to impaired driving, the enforcement effort will include focus on the state’s seat belt law— drivers and all passengers in any seat must be belted or in the correct child restraint to avoid being stopped and ticketed. Each year, around 75 percent of drinking drivers killed also are not belted.

[CITE ANY ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES HERE YOUR AGENCY(IES) WILL CONDUCT DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY EFFORT, (I.E. SEAT BELTS, DWI ENFORCEMENT, ETC.)]

“Sadly, some families will have an empty seat at their holiday table,” says [AGENCY SPOKES-PERSON]. “Enforcing seat belt lawsand arresting impaired drivers are preventive measures we take to ensure safety on Minnesota roads.”OR, IF NO EXTRA ENFORCEMENT PLANNED, USE THIS: “Seat belts and designated drivers must be on the menu to ensure travelsafety during the holiday,” says [AGENCY SPOKESPERSON].

[YOUR AGENCY] asks motorists to follow thistraffic safety recipe to ensure safe Thanksgiving travel:

  • Buckle up before and after you gobble up.
  • Plan for enough travel time to avoid the urge to speed — the posted speed is the speed limit.
  • Pay attention. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods.
  • If you plan on drinking, plan fora safe and sober ride home.

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time. Stronger DWI sanctions are in effect for all repeat DWI offenders, as well as for motorists arrested for a first-time DWI with an alcohol-concentration level of 0.16 and above. Under these sanctions, DWI offenders must use ignition interlock for at least a year or face at least one year without driving privileges. Interlock requires a driver to provide a breath sample under 0.02 for the vehicle to start. Safety officials say interlock ensures DWI offenders are driving legally and safely. Potential participants of program can learn more at

The DWI enforcement and education effort is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety program. 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.