EP Police join departments statewide to curb holiday drinking and driving

You’d better watch out, you’d better not cry, you’d better not drink ‘n drive, and I’m telling you why:

The Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) is participating in an impaired driving enforcement campaign now through the end of December as part of a statewide effort led by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.

EPPD will increase its efforts to stop impaired drivers during the holiday season, and will be joined by officers from across the state.

Every time an officer arrests a driver for driving while intoxicated (DWI), they may be saving a life – either that of the driver, their passengers or other innocent drivers on the road. So far in 2022, Eden Prairie officers have arrested 230 people for DWI, nearly five DWI arrests per week.

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EPPD has a few tips to help you enjoy a joyous and safe celebration without jeopardizing your life or the lives of others:

• Plan ahead if you’ll be drinking and arrange a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If you’re impaired, call a taxi or ridesharing program, use public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, promptly call 911. You could save someone’s life.
• Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.