State Patrol: Plan a Safe Ride for New Years

With New Years Eve coming up this weekend, the Minnesota State Patrol is reminding everyone to find a safe ride home.

“We know people are out there celebrating, ringing in the New Year,” said Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Jill Frankfurth. “And we want people to do that, but we want people to do it safely. And we want other people to make it to and from their destination safely as well. So the best thing you can do is to plan ahead. Get somebody sober to drive.”

The Minnesota State Patrol will have extra troopers working patrol shifts during the holidays. They’ll also have extra patrols during peak impaired driving hours from late afternoon to early morning. 

“We do see a higher number of DWIs during the holidays and that’s why we put extra troopers, deputies and officers out on patrol making those stops and arresting impaired drivers,” Frankfurth said. “We want to stop those injury and fatality crashes, so we do that by having extra patrols out there.”

A State Patrol trooper makes an impaired driving stop.

Frankfurth also asked drivers to remember that while marijuana may be legal, driving while high is still a DWI. 

“There’s consequences, and you know, people won’t make it home to their families because of making a bad decision,” Frankfurth said. “One death is too many this weekend. So make that plan ahead of time. And don’t get behind the wheel if you feel high or you’re impaired.”

Metro Transit if offering free rides after 6 p.m. on New Years Eve. Some routes don’t have late night service, so make sure to check the schedule before you leave.

“Our message is arrange for that sober driver, don’t speed, always buckle up and put away your distractions,” Frankfurth added. “If we can focus on those four areas, I think our roadways will stay a lot safer.

Twin Cities