Saturation patrols this weekend

DUI task force announces saturation patrol dates

The Southeast Regional DUI Task Force will be conducting unified saturation patrols on May 27 and May 28.

“Our continued partnership with other agencies in the Southeast Region to conduct saturation patrols will be an important part of our efforts to reduce alcohol-related crashes and fatalities” said North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Eldon Mehrer.

January through March 2011 results from the Task Force indicate that coordinated enforcement efforts are working to reduce the risk of alcohol-related fatalities in North Dakota, with zero fatalities occurring during the enforcement events since the program’s inception on October 1, 2010. From April to June 2010, North Dakota had 14 alcohol related fatalities.

As the summer weather approaches, law enforcement would like to see this number for 2011 significantly reduced, and more so eliminated.

“It’s important to realize that even one life lost as a result of drunk driving, is one life too many. One of our goals is to never have to notify a family they’ve lost a loved one in an alcohol-related crash.” said Barnes County Sheriff Randy McClaflin.

With 83 percent of law enforcement agencies across North Dakota currently participating in the Regional DUI Task Force, the state of North Dakota anticipates seeing a continued downward trend in the number of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities. Overall, the number one goal for all law enforcement agencies is to keep motorists safe on North Dakota’s roadways.

“Our proactive approach to prevent driving under the influence by conducting saturation patrols is a safe and effective approach to eliminating this problem.” added Jamestown Police Chief David Donegan.

City, county, and state law enforcement agencies from Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Stutsman, Barnes, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh and Dickey counties will be working the saturation patrol throughout the region.

Tags: saturation patrol, law enforcement, news, dui