At Least 246 Cited For DWI Over St. Paddy's Day
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said 246 people were busted for drunken driving as a result of stepped-up patrols during the St. Patrick's Day weekend.
That's a bit of a boost from the average weekend arrest count, which hovers around 170 motorists.
However, it's also a significant drop-off from the number of citations handed out the last time St. Patrick's Day fell on a Saturday. Then, 527 people were arrested for DWI in 2007.
"Given the weekend circumstances and the nice weather, the lower arrest numbers may mean that people used safe alternatives," said State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske.
The final numbers aren't in yet, and the public safety department's Office of Traffic Safety cautioned the arrest count is likely to rise as more information comes in.
