IMPAIRED DRIVERS TARGETED DURING BIG RACE WEEKEND

    State Patrol Lt. David ZumBerge says that area troopers will be patrolling specifically for impaired drivers in conjunction with the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. According to Lt. ZumBerge, “We will have extra troopers working the NightCAP (Night time Concentrated Area Patrols) project in the Lakes area specifically near the track in an effort to keep motorists safe during the big race weekend, August 19-21.”

    ZumBerge said, “As in years past, the State Patrol will have our mobile breath testing/ impaired driving vehicle (also known as the Bat Mobile) up here and stationed at the front entrance area of the race track to assist any officers with preliminary portions of the impaired driver arrest process.” ZumBerge also said, “Clearly the motorists traveling in the Brainerd Lakes Area are impacted by the extra enforcement presence, but we are still asking motorists to use caution, slow down and pay special attention while driving through the area, as well as making the decision not to drink and drive.”

    During a similar project in 2010, reports show that area troopers working with officers from area departments worked 203 hours, stopped 290 vehicles including 3 motorcycles. Four persons were taken into custody for impaired driving, 12 seat belt tickets were written, along with 31 speed citations and a host of other equipment and moving violations. Numerous warnings were also written for speeding, seat belt, equipment and other miscellaneous violations. At least one person was charged with failing to move over as required for emergency vehicles.