Austin police officer Jeff McCormack received some well-earned recognition this week when he and 30 other law enforcement officers were honored at Target Field for their work in spotting and arresting drunk drivers.

Nearly a third of the traffic-related deaths in Minnesota involve drivers who are intoxicated. While it’s not a statistic that can be tracked, it’s a safe bet almost every one of those alcohol-related deaths was completely avoidable. Because impaired drivers can’t make good judgments, getting them off the road has to be a priority.

Although McCormack and other officers were recognized as DWI all-stars, the reality of course is that thousands of police officers throughout the state also make major contributions to getting drunk drivers off the road.

The simplest way to keep intoxicated drivers from killing themselves and others is for those drivers to stay off the road. When good judgment fails and people take the wheel after drinking, aggressive police enforcement is the best way to save lives.