Law enforcement reminds people around the state to drive sober as 2015 comes to an end.
So far this year Rapid City has had 870 driving under the influence arrests. Brendyn Medina is the Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Police Department. He says the number of DUIs per year tend to fluctuate.
“In 2007 we had as many as 1,239. In 2010 we had as few as 743. So it’s kind of a roller coaster and when you see high number, you’d like to think that you’re doing a good job arresting the people who are out there choosing to drive while intoxicated. And on the years where the numbers are lower, you’d like to think that you’re doing a good job of deterring people from doing it,” says Medina.
Medina says more people are caught driving intoxicated near the holidays. He says police are on the lookout.
“If you choose to consume alcohol in celebration of the holidays, that’s okay. We just want to make sure that you have a sober driver or a safe ride home. We don’t want you getting behind the wheel of a vehicle when you’re intoxicated. If you’re above the legal limit we’re going to put you in handcuffs and take you to jail,” Medina says.
He warns a DUI costs more than a taxi.