Stearns County will be targeted for stepped up DWI enforcement patrols throughout 2008.

The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety is focusing NightCAP DWI patrols in the state’s 15 deadliest counties for impaired driving; Stearns County ranks sixth in the state when it comes to the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths and serious injuries. 

During 2004 – 2006, these 15 counties, out of 87, accounted for more than half of the State’s alcohol-related crashes. In Stearns County, in this same time period, there were 17 fatal accidents and 44 severe injury accidents where drinking and driving were a factor.

Stearns County works with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety through the Safe Communities program in an effort to change driving behaviors in our communities.  Stearns County’s Human Services Department, Public Health Division received Safe Communities grant dollars because of its 6th ranking in the State in alcohol-related crash fatalities.  The goal of these projects is to decrease the number of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from crashes. 

The first NightCAP (Nighttime Concentrated Alcohol Patrols) effort will take place in February, with other enforcement campaigns occurring through the entire year.

Operation NightCAP, the state’s cornerstone impaired driving enforcement effort, is designed to reduce highly preventable alcohol-related traffic deaths on Minnesota’s roadways.

NightCAP efforts combine the Minnesota State Patrol, county sheriff’s offices and city police departments to saturate roadways where impaired driving is likely. 

In 2007, nearly 251 NightCAP efforts resulted in 2,541 impaired driving arrests, 15,966 citations and 38,444 traffic stops. 

If you would like to be a part of the Safe Communities Coalition, and work to decrease the number of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from crashes, you can join the group at their next meeting on Monday, May 5, 2008 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the St. Cloud Hospital Conference Center, Oak Room. You can also call the Human Services Department, Public Health Division at 320-656-6000.