Authorities Stress Sober Rides On New Year's Eve
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota law enforcement officials say people planning to head out on New Year's Eve should also be thinking about that sober ride home.
The Department of Public Safety says extra patrols of state troopers and other law enforcers will be on the lookout for drunken drivers Tuesday night.
The New Year's holiday has been a big time for DWI arrests and alcohol-related crashes.
According to the department's Office of Traffic Safety, more than 2,300 people have been arrested for driving while intoxicated on Minnesota roads on New Years from 2008 on. There have five fatalities and more than 200 injuries from crashes involving impaired drivers.
If you don't plan ahead and need a sober ride home, Metro Transit is offering free rides Tuesday night through a community service program sponsored by Miller Lite.
Metro Transit customers can ride free on buses and light rail transit from6 p.m. through the last scheduled trips. The free-ride offer is also available for routes on the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Plymouth Metrolink and Anoka County. The Northstar Commuter Rail is not offering free service.
Call 1-800-FREE-RIDES for complete information.
Punishment for a DWI offense can be a lost license, jail time and thousands in fines and reinstatement fees. Repeat offenders face more severe consequences.
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