Police badgeValley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Sept 23, 2013)  – In an ongoing effort to end the problem of impaired driving, North Dakota law enforcement agencies are continuing unified enhanced
enforcement.  The Southeast Jamestown Regional DUI Task Force is announcing
that there will be an enhanced law enforcement presence and additional law
enforcement officers on rural, city and state roads throughout North Dakota
for the entire month of October.

Highway Patrol Captain, Bryan Niewind says, “North Dakota recently enacted a law to strengthen DUI penalties in the state”.  The bill doubles fines for drinking and driving and increases potential jail time.
One of its biggest changes is cracking down on multiple offenders including greatly increased jail time and possible felony convictions.  It also makes refusing a chemical test a crime.”

Law enforcement officials believe that any number of fatalities due to impaired driving is too high.  The success of the enforcement campaigns encourages the Southeast Jamestown Regional Task Force to continue their work to keep North Dakota drivers safe.

Detective Don Fiebinger of the  Barnes County Sheriff’s Department says, “Even one life lost to impaired driving is too many, and we take the task of getting that number down to zero very seriously.”

Funding for this enhanced enforcement is provided through the North Dakota
Department of Transportation (NDDOT).

In addition to increased enforcement efforts, the Southeast Jamestown
Regional Task Force has worked to enhance community awareness of impaired
driving through the NDDOT’s TODD campaign.  TODD stands for “To Designate a
Driver” and is a web, print, radio and television campaign aimed at
spreading information about DUI laws, enforcement and prevention.
Specifically, TODD provides a number of solutions for individuals and
encourages them to find their safe rides home before going out.  Drivers
are encouraged to check out *www.dontforgettodd.com* for more information.

“The purpose of these enforcement periods is two-fold,” said Dana
Rustabakke, Officer Valley City Police Department, “They not only assist
law enforcement in tracking down dangerous drivers, but they encourage all
drivers to be more aware of their driving and make responsible decisions to
not drink and drive.”

The Southeast Jamestown DUI Task Force includes the following agencies:
NDHP, Foster, Griggs, Stutsman, McIntosh, Barnes and LaMoure County
Sheriff’s Departments, Carrington, Jamestown, Valley City, Kulm and Oakes
Police Departments.