Area law enforcement made more impaired driving arrests in 2014 than in the past few years.

McKichon

Austin Police Capt. Dave McKichan said local law enforcement made 88 stops, six arrests and about 26 citations during a recent Toward Zero Deaths increased enforcement period from Nov. 26 through Dec. 27.

Yet police estimate they arrested about 320 impaired drivers in 2014, slightly higher than the 265 to 285 average law enforcement recorded in recent years.

“That’s almost getting close to an impaired driver a day we’re taking off the roadway, which is a success,” McKichan said.

McKichan said the increase could be due to officers recognizing more signs of impaired driving on the roads.

In nearby Freeborn County, officers arrested 17 people during the holiday increased enforcement period and gave out 73 citations.

The increased enforcement was made possible through a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety and Toward Zero Deaths campaign.