DUI Task Force | Video

Evan Kruegel | 8/31/2012

With Labor Day weekend upon us, law enforcement in Williams County is cracking down on drunk driving. The Williston DUI Task-force will be in full effect, making sure impaired drivers stay off the roads. Williston law enforcement have already issued twice as many DUI`s this summer than last, and they`ll continue the crackdown this weekend.

It`s no secret people like to kick back and let loose for the Labor Day Holiday, but this weekend, the Williston DUI Task Force will be ready.

"I believe there have been 168 fatalities from motor crashes in north dakota, and 45 of those were alcohol related fatality crashes. So what we`re trying to do with this enhanced DUI effort, is to save lives. That`s innocent lives, and also those impaired drivers lives," said Detective David Peterson.

Officers will be working overtime, devoting entire shifts to DUI prevention. But they won`t be stationed outside bars. Instead, they`ll move around town, keeping a close eye on every car they see.

"There`s no watching certain establishments for certain vehicles leaving, officers involved in this overtime are watching driving characteristics, looking for operation of a motor vehicle without their headlights on, the crossing the center line," Peterson said.

The task-force extends well beyond main streets of Williston. The Highway Patrol and Williams County deputies will be out as well.

"The overtime shifts and DUI enhanced patrol is not only throughout the downtown area of Williston, it`s throughout Williams County. And the officers who are involved in this have been specially trained in DUI detection and apprehension of impaired drivers, and they`ll be solely devoting their entire shift to looking for impaired drivers."

So if you`ve had one too many, Peterson suggests keeping those keys in your pocket.

"A $15 dinner to buy a designated driver is a whole lot cheaper than what ultimately will be near 10,000 dollars in fines, fees, court costs, loss of license, losing your job, and most of all losing your life."

Williston police want everyone to enjoy the weekend, but most importantly, to do it safely.

Last year, there were 192 DUI`s issued in Williams County. Eight months into this year, that number is already over 200.

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