GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - The message to motorists is plain and simple this Labor Day Weekend.
"If you're drinking, have a plan," says Lt. Tiffani Nielson with the Minnesota State Patrol. "That way, you'll keep yourself safe along with the motoring public."
This weekend marks the end of a statewide DWI enforcement campaign in which, over the past two weekends, 605 drunk drivers were arrested. That's down from nearly three times that number last year during this time.
"There's still more work to be done," said Lt. Nielson. "What we're doing is trying to prevent fatalities or serious injuries that impact lives forever."
The number of drunk-driving deaths are on the decline in Minnesota. There were 185 deaths in 2002, but 111 in 2011.
"We're looking for swerving, failing to signal, speeding, any indication of impairment," said Lt. Nielson.
During weekends like this, extra officers are in place for the sole purpose of catching those who've been drinking and decided to drive. Lt. Nielson says "it's their judgement that's typically the first to go."
The next statewide campaign is in October.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)