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State Patrol Steps Up DWI Enforcement This Weekend

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota State Patrol is increasing drunken driving patrols this weekend in the 13 counties that have had the highest alcohol-related deaths and serious injuries.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says there will be more DWI enforcement in those counties on Friday and Saturday. The stepped up enforcement kick off a summer of added patrols to combat impaired driving.

Of the 435 alcohol-related traffic deaths from 2008 through 2010, 142 of them happened during the months of June through August. That's 33 percent.

State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske says impaired driving is a threat all year, but especially in the summer.

The extra patrols this weekend are being added in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Itasca, Olmsted, Ramsey, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Stearns, Washington, and Wright counties.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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