DUI Task Force Announced for Hwy 85 and Hwy 23 in McKenzie County
For Immediate Release: Aug 23 2018
Watford City, ND – Agencies are partnering to conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Task Force that will focus on Highway 85 and Highway 23 in McKenzie County on Saturday, September 1 in an effort to eliminate impaired drivers from the roadway. Participating agencies include Watford City Police Department, McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Highway Patrol, United States Border Patrol and Northwest Narcotics Task Force.
“Over the past five years (2013-2017) in North Dakota, nearly 300 motor vehicle fatalities have been alcohol-related. These fatalities are 100 percent preventable,” said Lt. Shannon Wellen, Watford City Police Department. “With this DUI Task Force, we plan to target those who are driving impaired, so tragedies can be prevented.”
Last year in North Dakota, 47 percent of motor vehicle fatalities were alcohol-related. Annually, there are between 5,000 and 6,000 DUI arrests in the state.
The DUI Task Force works in partnership through the Vision Zero traffic safety strategy to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes on North Dakota roads.
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