News and Press Releases
Signs Serve as Reminders about Dangers of Drinking & Driving
August 25, 2006
Stearns County drivers will find road signs that warn of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Twenty signs were posted on County highways reminding drivers to play it safe.
The signs read “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” and were spread demographically across the County. Drivers will see the signs at strategic locations – in dangerous areas where there maybe were a cluster of accidents and in areas with higher visibility.
Stearns County decided to post the signs in light of the fact we are sixth highest in the state when it comes to the number of alcohol-related fatal and serious crashes.
In 2005, 16 people died in Stearns County in 12 fatal crashes. In Stearns County, Sheriff’s Deputies alone arrested 425 people last year for DUI. In addition to that, St. Cloud police arrest on average 350 – 400 people a year for DUI. These numbers don’t take into account arrests made by other city police departments or the State Patrol within Stearns County. In the Stearns County Community Corrections Division, 1,180, DUI offenders were under the supervision of Correctional Officers in 2004.
Mary Pittman Mach, Public Health Supervisor said, “These signs will be a permanent reminder to everyone in Stearns County of the dangers that come with drinking and driving and that we must all drive safe. One bad decision could make an impact that will last a lifetime.”
Dave Leigh, Sergeant for the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, affirmed that law enforcement takes DUI’s very seriously. “There are no breaks when it comes to arresting and punishing someone for driving under the influence.”
Money to pay for the “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” signs came from the Stearns County Public Health Safe Communities Coalition – a program that drives to make our roads safer through education. Public Health received a Safe Communities grant from the State Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety (DPS/OTS).
Anyone interested in being a part of the Safe Communities Coalition can call Susie Osaki Holm at 320-656-6083 or Mary Pittman Mach at 320-656-6289.