Drive Sober or get pulled over.  The Redwood Falls Police Department and the Redwood County Sheriff's Office will crack down on drunk and impaired drivers during a stepped up statewide and nationwide DWI enforcement effort, August 19- September 5th.

On average in Minnesota, 30,000 drivers are arrested for DWI each year - there were 17 arrests in Redwood Falls in 2010.  During the last three years in the state, there were an average of 145 alcohol related deaths, and 300 alcohol related serious injuries.  In Redwood County during the period, there were 3 alcohol related deaths.

A DWI offense can result in the loss of your license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in cost, and possible jail time.

In case you forgot, that's not all.  Another new consequence in Minnesota is use of an ignition interlock.  First time Minnesota DWI offenders with a .16 and above alcohol concentration level, and all repeat DWI offenders need to use the ignition interlock, or face one year without a license.  Interlock is installed under the dashboard and connected to its starter.  Users must provide a breath sample into the interlock with an alcohol concentration below .02 for the vehicle to start.